Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Campus

The construction of this campus transformed a contaminated 12-acre parking lot in the heart of Seattle into an ecologically and socially sustainable hub for global collaboration and local engagement. Through innovative design and a focus on sustainability, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation campus achieved the distinction of being the largest LEED Platinum certified non-profit building in the world.

KPFF provided site selection, masterplanning, entitlement and infrastructure design in support of the development of the 640,000 SF world-class headquarters campus and the Seattle Center Fifth Avenue North Garage.

The 13-acre site is comprised of five City blocks including both prior building parcels as well as public rights of way. KPFF’s civil engineering services included the planning and design of significant relocations for those utilities within vacated right of way. Relocations included the undergrounding of over a mile of Seattle City Light Transmission and Distribution circuits, large diameter combined sewer relocations, and watermain extensions. KPFF also designed on-site stormwater facilities to meet the requirements of evolving drainage codes.

The project site is adjacent to the proposed north portal of the WSDOT SR99 bored tunnel and the proposed widening of Mercer Street by SDOT. KPFF worked closely with the WSDOT and SDOT to coordinate adjacent road alignments and construction phasing to the benefit of all projects.

Sustainable elements include over two acres of drought-resistant living roofs, rainwater re-use, and impervious surfaces reduction.