The Breathe Building is a sustainably designed community center in Portland, Oregon and home to Atrium Movement & Events, Prema Health, and Rangoon Bistro.

It was designed by Green Hammer and Brienne Wasmer of 2Yoke Design and was constructed to Earth Advantage Silver Certification—the first commercial building in the northwest built to this third-party green-building standard that stresses the importance of sustainable products and a building’s impact on the environment and its community.

As such, much care was taken to consider occupant comfort, energy and water efficiency, indoor air quality (IAQ), and use of recycled and responsible materials, which were vetted to identify and avoid potential toxins. It was a priority to utilize local manufacturers, suppliers and contractors and high efficiency equipment and assemblies throughout.

Upon construction, the original building was partially deconstructed and then retrofitted and transformed into what is now the Breathe Building. During the demolition process, the construction waste and soil was either donated, recycled, or refurbished and reused in the new construction. The project won The Energy Trust of Oregon's Best Renovation in 2016.

The Breathe Building is meant to serve as a reminder to build and inhabit spaces that honor the integral relationship between people and the environment. We welcome you and invite you to read more on the various plaques throughout the building that reference sustainable building materials.

Scroll to see some photos of the (de)construction of and some of the unique aesthetic elements of the Breathe Building!

*Some information adapted from https://www.certainteed.com/drywall/trophy/breathe-building, the company that did the drywall for the Building.