The Bethune Lofts bring life back into an abandoned daylight factory building.  The historic restoration and adaptation into energy efficient apartments is a cornerstone of sustainability.  This building listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has received LEED Silver certification. Key architectural “green” aspects include; close proximity to light rail and bus, as well as services within walking and biking distance, retaining 97% of the existing building’s floors, walls, and roof deck, and polishing the concrete structure to let the natural beauty of the materials and shape of the columns enhance the character of the spaces.

The window manufacturer, SHPO/NPS, Construction Manager and Owner  worked to customize a storefront system to accept insulated glass while meeting the thin site lines and reflecting infrared heat through an applied Solar Ban 60 coating without altering the look of the original glazing which bathed 75% of the occupied space. Insulation was sensitively added to the roof in order to achieve a high R value without altering the historic cornice. Insulated Wood Doors were customized to recreate the existing doors while providing a good R value.