Capaces Leadership Institute (PCUN)
Woodburn, Oregon | 2012

This 2,800 square foot farm workers union hall is one of the first “Passive House”- certified office buildings in the United States.  As such, it is one of the most energy efficient buildings in the USA, with a minimum 90% energy use reduction below a standard code-compliant building.  Additionally, it is the first such project to be built almost entirely with volunteer labor.  Our work on this project has included guiding the owner-occupant community through an extraordinary degree of participation in both design & construction, and they have successfully organized numerous building and mural-painting work parties.  The union hall will provide valuable meeting and training spaces which will be used for years to come to educate future leaders who work to advance the varied causes of the farm worker movement.  Additionally, this project will manage all of its water runoff on site with the use of a vast living roof and bioswales featuring native plant varieties.  There are also future plans for a solar array to bring the building energy footprint to net zero.