Northwest Maritime Center: Port Townsend, WA

Currents of the Past

The Northwest Maritime Center in Port Townsend, Wash., engages visitors in the adventure that is traditional and contemporary maritime life with sailing classes and a large boat building and repair facility. The center also seeks to protect, restore and improve the waters of the Puget Sound. A pier is designed to minimize impact on eelgrass, a critical and sensitive habitat for fish. Strategies that take advantage of natural resources, such as ocean-source heat pumps, daylighting and natural ventilation, help reduce energy use and cost. The facility uses 30 kBtu/ft² yr, saving $29,000 a year in electric bills compared to a LEED base case building.