Downtown PCC is our fourth store to pursue Living Building Challenge (LBC) Petal Certification. Just a couple blocks from University Street Station, it’s easily accessible by way of low-carbon transportation methods. Inside, you’ll find an impactful carving by local artist Andrea M. Wilbur-Sigo, and high-efficiency fixtures, from lighting to plumbing.
All wood used is Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Certified. Our work excluding toxic chemicals from all building components was unprecedented in the grocery industry — some components had to be modified or custom designed because toxic-free options were not readily available.
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Designed to maximize the use of natural light when possible, Downtown PCC depends less on electricity during daylight hours. Where natural light is insufficient, we use light emitting diode (LED) fixtures, which consume 75% less energy and last 25 times longer than incandescent fixtures.
Our in-store cooks and kitchen staff use ENERGY STAR Certified equipment wherever possible — our steam cookers use 60% less energy than standard models. Doors installed on refrigerated cases reduce energy use by up to 65%.
Heat released from the refrigeration system is recycled and used to heat the rest of the building and produce hot water for the store. Our HVAC system is also equipped with hospital-grade air filters that remove small particles and improve indoor air quality.
Compared to standard models, our steam cookers use 90% less water and our dishwashers use 40% less water. We selected faucets that use 60% less water than standard faucets to achieve the same water pressure.
Downtown PCC is surrounded by a variety of shops, restaurants, office buildings and public transit, making it easily accessible by foot, bike, bus and rail. If you’re driving, you’ll find plug-in stations for electric vehicles in the building’s parking garage.
The International Living Future Institute’s Habitat Exchange program aggregates funds to protect large tracts of contiguous, high-value ecosystems, maximizing the impact of each contribution. PCC contributed funds to protect, in perpetuity, an area of land equivalent to Downtown PCC’s store footprint.
