Zero Energy in Oregon

Oregon is a leader in designing and building zero energy homes and buildings. You’ll find examples of net-zero energy residences, commercial buildings, schools, offices, and more throughout the state.

The 2019-2020 Team Zero Inventory found that there were 552 zero-energy residential housing units (individual homes and apartment units) in Oregon, and 378 of these are in Portland, making Portland the 8th city in the country for zero energy home and apartment units.

New Building Institute’s Getting to Zero Buildings Database lists 25 emerging and 8 verified commercial and multifamily buildings in Oregon.

Find zero energy builders and designers in Oregon and get started on your zero energy project. Some case studies in Oregon are below – contact us if you’d like to add yours.

Case Studies

PAE Living Building

The PAE building embodies the vision to help solve the planet’s energy and water challenges. Set to be the world’s first developer-driven Living Building, the five-story, mixed-use building will demonstrate replicable and cost-effective solutions for sustainable design removing barriers to entry for highly sustainable projects while revitalizing the community. 

Rendering courtesy of ZGF Architects

Rendering courtesy of ZGF Architects

Building Stats:

  • Building Type: Corporate Headquarters and retail

  • Use: Mixed-Use

  • Location: Portland, Oregon

  • Size: 58,000 SF

  • Cost: Can We Afford to Build Living Buildings? We Can’t Afford Not To

  • Year Completed: Fall 2021

  • Pursuing Certifications: Living Building, Net Zero Water, Net Zero Energy, Architecture 2030, WELL

  • Site: 19.5 EUI compared to 40.8 EUI typical energy use by a Portland office building built to code

Orchards at Orenco Phase 1

A multi-family residential building for low-income residents built to the Passive House standard in Hillsboro, Oregon. 

Orchards at Orenco.jpg

Building Stats:

  • Building Type: Multifamily Residential

  • Use: Affordable Housing (57 Units)

  • Location: Hillsboro, Oregon

  • Size: 57,750 SF

  • Cost: $130/SF

  • Year Completed: 2015

  • Certifications: Passive House Certified

  • Site EUI: 22.5 kBTU/sf/yr

Ankeny Row Townhomes

A 7-unit net zero energy multi-family co-housing project in the heart of Portland. 

Building Stats:

  • Building Type: Multifamily Residential

  • Use: Co-Housing (7 Townhomes)

  • Location: Portland, Oregon

  • Floor Area: 8,500 SF

  • Cost: The construction hard cost was ~ $2.25M and the land was an additional $500K

  • Year Completed: 2015

  • Certification: Net Zero Ready, Passive House Certified, Earth Advantage Platinum

  • Site EUI: Modeled EUI 14.4, actual EUI 12

Photo by Jon Jensen, courtesy of Green Hammer

Photo by Jon Jensen, courtesy of Green Hammer

Hood River Middle School Science and Music Building

The first certified net-zero energy school building in the nation.

Photo courtesy of New Buildings Institute

Photo courtesy of New Buildings Institute

Building Stats:

  • Building Type: Education

  • Use: Middle School

  • Location: Hood River, Oregon

  • Floor Area: 12,000 SF

  • Cost: unknown

  • Year Completed: 2012

  • Certification: Net Zero Energy, LEED Platinum

  • Site EUI: 23.6 kBTU/SF/yr

Pringle Creek Painters Hall

A net-zero energy community center, office, art gallery, and event venue in Salem, Oregon.

Building Stats:

  • Building Type: Mixed Use Commercial

  • Use: Community Center

  • Location: Salem, Oregon

  • Floor Area: 3,250 SF

  • Cost: $192/SF

  • Year Completed: 2010 (Renovation)

  • Certification: Net Zero Energy, LEED Platinum

  • Site EUI: 21 kBTU/SF/yr

Pringle Creek Painters Hall.jpg