SEATTLE -- KING 5 News got a hard hat, sneak-peek tour of the massive new campus The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is building in downtown Seattle.
It is the future of the world's largest charitable foundation and designed to combine the best environmental practices with some stunning aesthetics.
Brian Duke can barely contain his enthusiasm as he shows off the unique features of the future home of The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation next to the Seattel Center.
He's the project superintendent at Sellen Construction and is currently overseeing a staff of nearly 500 men and women who are working feverishly on the 900,000 square feet that encompasses phase one of the new campus.
Even with the move-in date more than a year away, you can already see the footprint of an atrium and future water features, admire the living roofs that are already planted, and gaze out through the 10 feet wide window panes.
"It's definitely the biggest project that I've ever worked on," said Duke.
Martha Choe is the foundation's chief administrative officer. She can't wait for the foundation staff, currently scattered throughout five buildings in downtown Seattle, to finally be consolidated on just one campus.
"We are soooo excited about our new home!" she said.
She notes everything here is deliberately designed to offer maximum light and inspiration, while also selecting materials and designs that are environmentally sustainable.
"The living roof that we have, the million gallon water storage to recycle that water. So really have an eye on reducing our footprint in terms of environmental impact, but also creating an environment where our people can do our best thinking, our best work," said Choe.
Duke says his crews feel lucky to be involved on a project that will help the foundation improve the health, education, and welfare of millions of people around the world.
"It just gives them an extra drive to do better, to act more professionally, to feel that wow, they're contributing to something that's a little bit bigger than what they normally participate in," said Duke.
A monumental mission with its roots now planted deeply in Seattle.
The two buildings that make up phase one are due to be completed in spring of 2011 and will be able to accommodate about 1,500 people. The price tag: about $500 million.
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