Portland’s historic Galleria, a 115-year-old building, offers an inspiring example of how buildings can be modernized to reduce energy costs and improve occupant comfort because of their passive energy features — all while preserving the building’s architecture. The modernization of the Galleria’s core and shell transformed it into a Future Ready Building. Future Ready Buildings are energy-efficient structures, new or old, that flexibly and strategically adapt how and when they use energy based on tenant needs.
SERA Architects worked alongside Energy Trust of Oregon’s New Buildings program to improve the Galleria’s roof insulation, replace the historic central skylight to optimize daylight while mitigating heat gain and integrate off-site community solar to help decarbonize the building’s energy use. They also added a high-efficiency dedicated outdoor air system as well as an electric, high-performance variable refrigerant flow (VRF) heating and cooling system.
Through $527,000 in cash incentives, Energy Trust helped SERA Architects incorporate features that improve comfort, deepen energy efficiency and deliver significant energy cost savings, estimated at $154,000 annually (when the building is at full occupancy), including 1,204,600 kilowatt-hours saved annually. The Galleria’s successful transformation shows that future readiness isn’t reserved for new buildings — it’s also about unlocking the potential of existing structures to create Future Ready Buildings that are prepared for whatever comes next.
The Galleria’s successful transformation shows that future readiness isn’t reserved for new buildings — it’s also about unlocking the potential of existing structures to create Future Ready Buildings that are prepared for whatever comes next.
Get support for your new building or major renovation project with early design assistance and technical assistance at www.energytrust.org/future-ready-buildings or by calling 1.877.467.0930. Additional Future Ready Buildings offers are in development.
Read about the Galleria’s transformation in downtown Portland.