Our Building

The Monterey Loft/Chief Seattle Club Renovation exhibits leading-edge “green” design and building strategies, setting an example of ways we can reduce our consumption of energy and other vital natural resources, and our carbon footprint. As a result, the project earned the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification – the first such designation for the rehabilitation of an historic Seattle structure.

Our Foyer

NATURAL ENERGY SYSTEMS

• Solar panels on the penthouse roof will heat water for personal use and help power the mechanical heating systems at both the residential levels and the Chief Seattle Club.
• A hot water recovery system will capture heat from waste water lines, preheating water entering the building before it reaches the water heaters.

WATER CONSERVATION

• Rain water from the roof will be harvested in a cistern at the basement level for reuse in Chief Seattle Club toilets and in water supply lines at each residential roof deck, diverting it from sewer lines.
• Water-saving plumbing systems including shower limiter valves and low maintenance sensor-operated toilets are used in the Club.

RECYCLING AND RE-USE

Much of the original structure has been preserved in conjunction with the use of recycled or rapidly renewable building materials, supporting a growing market for such materials.

• The entire brick envelope has been preserved, 50% of the floor plates have been reused, and interior elements such as base and door molding have been salvaged and reused at the residential entry gallery and shared hallways.
• Construction debris such as concrete was shipped to other regional construction sites to re-use as fill.
• Cotton insulation made from recycled blue jeans was used in place of standard fiberglass insulation.
• Bathroom tile in residential units is 50% reclaimed, unfired, raw waste material.
• Carpet in residential units contains a minimum of 50% recycled nylon content.
• Bamboo flooring—a rapidly renewable material—is used in all residential units.

Circle Concept for the New Chief Seattle Club Home, by Johnpaul Jones

American Indians have unique indigenous beliefs and relationships with the land and the world around us that would be good for other cultures to know about. We have been here a long time and have a deep connection to this place.

To create an indigenous place for American Indians, whether in the city of in the country, we need to create a place that respects the circular nature of life. The circle is a strong design element of indigenous peoples’ ways and beliefs. The circle represents the circular process of life—it connects us to the organic nature of life—it allows us to connect to the natural world, the animal world, the spirit world, and our human world much better than a “straight line.” The circle encourages human welcoming, the honoring of each other, and the circle allows us to connect to something larger than ourselves.

An indigenous place would not be an Indian place without the circle. The circular space at the Chief Seattle Club’s new home is meant to be a strong connection to American Indian ways and beliefs. It’s not a symbol. It represents a “sign” left to us by our ancestors that we are connected to something larger than ourselves. It’s what we share across our indigenous diversity. It’s a place where we stand and we want others to stand with us “inside” our circle of life, our ways and beliefs, not somewhere else.

I’m sure that the circular space design was different than what was expected for the Chief Seattle Club, but it is an indigenous solution. This new home for the Chief Seattle Club should not be a place where American Indian beliefs are left out. The circular space represents a strong connection to all our indigenous living cultures in this country.

The beauty of the trees,
the softness of the air,
the fragrance of the grass,
speaks to me.

The faintness of the stars,
the freshness of the morning,
the dew drop of the flower,
speaks to me.

The strength of the fire,
the taste of salmon,
the trail of the sun,
And the life that never goes away,
They speak to me.

And my heart soars.

Chief Dan George
Tel-Lal-Wah
Coast Salish