Work |
Climate Pledge Arena
Designed by Populous | Seattle, WA
Reimagining a Landmark Arena as a World Standard for Regenerative Design.
Climate Pledge Arena isn’t just remodeled—it’s reimagined. Sports venues are among the most energy-intensive buildings on the planet, but with McLennan Design as a strategic sustainability partner, this iconic Seattle landmark became the world’s first arena to achieve Zero Carbon Certification from the International Living Future Institute. In collaboration with Oak View Group, Populous, and the Seattle Kraken, McLennan Design guided the project’s bold vision and regenerative strategy—ensuring its trajectory from ambitious concept to world-leading performance. Now home to the NHL’s Kraken and a premier destination for global entertainment, this 800,000-square-foot adaptive reuse sets a new benchmark for what large-scale public venues can be: all-electric, net zero carbon, historically preserved, and deeply responsive to both people and planet. Our role continues through co-leadership of the Climate Pledge Council, driving ongoing improvements in sustainability and transparency.
Oak View Group
Sustainability Consulting
Net Zero
Designed by Populous | Seattle, WA
80,000
2021
Puget Lowland (Level III EPA Ecoregion)
Arenas
McLennan Design: Strategic Sustainability Partner for Transformational Projects
At McLennan Design, we bring visionary leadership and deep technical expertise to the most ambitious sustainability projects in the world. As a trusted partner to architecture firms, developers, and institutions, we specialize in guiding large-scale developments toward extraordinary environmental performance—across sectors like sports, entertainment, cultural venues, and adaptive reuse.
As the sustainability leader for the Climate Pledge Arena team, McLennan Design helped steer the project to become the first arena in the world to achieve ILFI Zero Carbon Certification—transforming one of the most energy-intensive building typologies into a global icon of sustainability. Working closely with Populous and the Oak View Group, we embedded regenerative design strategies, coordinated third-party certifications, and helped establish operational frameworks like the Climate Pledge Council, ensuring the arena’s long-term climate leadership.
We bring this same strategic thinking to every partnership—collaborating seamlessly with design teams, ownership groups, and operations staff to craft credible, measurable, and inspiring sustainability trajectories. Whether it’s adaptive reuse, net-zero design, carbon accounting, or biophilic innovation, McLennan Design is the firm clients trust to help make the impossible inevitable.
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Photo Credit: DP Drones and Seattle Kraken
“If you’re in the Fortune 500 space and you’re looking to do something creative, innovative and sustainable, Jason is the person you talk to. He’s on that shortlist of international architectural presences who have the wherewithal to help you think about campus master planning and individual building elements and all connecting it to the global climate crisis that we have right now."
Rob Johnson
Vice President for Sustainability and Transportation for Climate Pledge Arena and the Seattle Kraken
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Photo Credit: Seattle Kraken
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Photo Credit: DP Drones
The vision was simple – to create the world’s first truly resilient, self-sustaining campus as a beacon of hope, leadership, and environmental stewardship. This lofty aspiration was grounded both in practical architectural solutions and an innovative educational curriculum. Inspired by the site’s unique position in a truly wild and biodynamic part of the world, the redesign of the campus was focused on bringing out potential opportunities for discovery, creativity, and education.
As the first arena to earn Zero Carbon certification from the International Living Future Institute, Climate Pledge Arena proves that complex, world-class venues can be both environmentally responsible and architecturally exceptional.
Facts & Figures
Photo Credit: DP Drones
Powered by Renewable Energy
Climate Pledge Arena runs on 100% renewable electricity. On-site solar arrays—spanning over 1,300 panels—generate approximately 440,000 kWh annually. To cover remaining energy needs, the arena procures verified Renewable Energy Credits (RECs), including from Puget Sound Energy’s Snake River wind farm. Beginning in 2025, the facility will transition to Seattle City Light’s Renewable Plus Program, drawing power from new regional wind and solar farms.
Advanced Water Reuse
Water conservation is integral to the arena’s design. A 15,000-gallon cistern collects rainwater from the roof to create what’s known as the NHL’s greenest ice—part of its innovative Rain-to-Rink system. The arena also features waterless urinals, ultra-efficient showers, and stormwater retention systems that protect Puget Sound from runoff.
Together, these systems reduce the facility’s environmental impact and showcase how large public venues can integrate clean energy and water stewardship at scale.
Climate Pledge Arena goes beyond reducing its own environmental impact—it actively shapes more sustainable visitor habits. Integrated transit connections, bike valet, EV charging, and free public transportation with every ticket make low-carbon access easy and appealing. Instead of being surrounded by parking lots, the arena is uniquely set within a park-like landscape, returning open space to the Seattle Center and community. As one of the largest private investments in Pacific Northwest sports and entertainment, the project is also a model for how venues can shift from being carbon-intensive to becoming climate-positive catalysts.
Photo Credit: DP Drones
“We have to see the world as one interconnected system of which we are just one critical part.”
– Jason F. McLennan
Climate Pledge has been the recipient of numerous awards as a testament to the multi-disciplinary team and work by project consultants including:
Oak View Group, Populous, Rockwell Group, DCI Engineers, ME Engineers, and McLennan Design.
2024 World Architecture News: Overall Sustainable Architecture Project
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2023 Engineering News Record: Best of the Best Projects – Sports/Entertainment
2023 Washington State Historic Preservation Office Awards: Outstanding Sustainable Rehabilitation
2023 American Institute of Graphic Arts: Environmental/Experiential Design Awards
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2022 Sports Business Journal: Sports Facility of the Year
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2021 VenuesNow All-Stars: Venues and Innovation
