The Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) Patient Housing, a six-story structure in Seattle, Washington, provides 80 temporary housing units for oncology patients traveling from outside the area. It has achieved LEED® Gold Certification.

The architects aimed for a design that prioritized “durability, energy-efficient building systems, indoor air quality, and occupant comfort.” The outcome is an energy-efficient building engineered to consume only 45-kBtu/ft2/yr, representing 50% of the regional target EUI and fulfilling the 50% Architecture 2030 Challenge.

Innotech windows were chosen for the building's high-performance envelope based on three key factors: functionality, performance, and aesthetics.

Functionality

The Tilt + Turn Windows are engineered to offer users enhanced control and comfort. The window handles are intentionally placed lower on the sash, ensuring they are easily accessible to all patients.

The tilt and turn functionality grants SCCA residents significant control over natural ventilation. The tilt position allows for efficient ventilation without needing to open additional windows or doors.

Beyond ventilation control and accessible handles, the windows also create a quiet environment for occupants. When closed, the multiple locking points effectively block traffic and external noise from the bustling South Lake Union area.

Performance

Windows are essential to a building's envelope. Constructing a high-performance envelope requires high-performance windows. Innotech windows assisted the architects in meeting the Architecture 2030 Challenge. In addition to delivering energy savings for the building owner and improving overall occupant comfort, Innotech windows were selected for their exceptional water resistance and air tightness – both vital for a durable building envelope.

In an article published in the April 2011 issue GB&D Magazine, Scott Carr, lead architect and Weinstein A|U associate, stated: “The building is meticulously detailed to withstand the tests of time. Sustainability begins with designing durable buildings capable of lasting 75-100 years.”

Aesthetics

The architects’ elevation strategy for the SCCA building incorporated varied frame and sash colors. The exterior showcases acryl-protect co-extruded dove gray frames and steel blue sashes, complemented by white interior frames and sashes.