Capitol building named for Congressman’s dad earns top green rating
The new Irving R. Newhouse Building on the Washington State Capitol Campus in Olympia has earned a platinum certification from Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). Among the features that contributed to the platinum certification are that the building is 100% electric, with roof-mounted solar panels, and most of the new building materials were sourced in Washington.
Courtesy Washington Department of Enterprise ServicesA building on the state Capitol Campus in Olympia and named for a longtime public servant from Sunnyside has earned a platinum certification from Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).
The Irving R. Newhouse Building’s namesake is the father of Congressman Dan Newhouse, the U.S. representative for Washington’s 4th congressional district. Irving Newhouse was a Sunnyside hops farmer who served the 15th legislative district for 34 years, in the House from 1956-80 and then in the Senate from 1980-99.
The original Irving R. Newhouse Building, then known as the Highway Building, 1940.
|Courtesy Washington State Archives
The new Newhouse building, completed in 2024, is over 59,000 square feet with four stories and a basement. It replaces the original building, which had two stories and measured 25,000 square feet.
“We are excited that Newhouse has earned LEED Platinum certification,” said DES Director Matt Jones. “The building’s design honors the history of the Capitol Campus, while integrating progressive energy-saving features that embrace Washington’s ongoing commitment to minimizing our impact on the environment.”
LEED is the most widely used green building rating system in the world. Only 10% of applicants achieve platinum certification, the highest level.
Two other buildings on Capitol Campus are LEED Platinum certified: Helen Sommers Building and 1500 Jefferson. Two are gold certified: Capitol Childcare Center and John L. O’Brien.
The state Legislature in 2021 stipulated that the building achieve at least LEED silver certification. The features that contributed to the platinum certification include:
- The building is 100% electric. Roof-mounted solar panels generate about 20% of its power. It’s also net-zero carbon emissions ready, which means it’s designed so that additional sources of renewable energy can be added later.
It features a green roof that contributes to the building’s environmental sustainability with energy efficiency, less rainwater runoff and improved air quality.
Most of the new building materials were sourced in Washington and reflect the commitment to sustainability and resource stewardship. Mass timber – large pre-manufactured, multilayered, solid wood panels – is at the center of the building’s low carbon footprint.
The project repurposed materials salvaged from the original Newhouse building and the nearby press houses that were dismantled.
- Newhouse is the first known building in the country that incorporates Fsorb, a formaldehyde-free acoustic insert which eliminates all known chemicals of concern used in traditional acoustic insulation within acoustic dowel laminated timber.
Completed in 1934 as a temporary structure, the original Newhouse building had far exceeded its useful life, posing significant health and safety hazards, according to a release from the state.
Designed by Miller Hull Partnership LLP in Seattle, the Newhouse building was completed as part of the Legislative campus modernization project in December 2024.
Occupants include members of the Senate, their staff and Legislative Support Services.
Editor's note (8/24/25): This story has been updated to correct information provided by the state Department of Enterprise Services about the building being the first in the country to incorporate Fsorb.
