Resin panels deliver strength and sustainability in Seattle’s first net zero high-rise

Seattle’s skyline has a new kind of landmark — one that embodies the future of sustainable living. 3Zero3, the city’s first net-zero energy high-rise apartment building, showcases how Lumicor’s resin panels can combine beauty, performance and environmental innovation to bring modern design to life. Among its defining features are the sleek, translucent balcony and rooftop railings, crafted with Lumicor’s high-performance resin panels.

Designing for Performance and Sustainability

The design team at CollinsWoerman faced a clear challenge: create a structure that was not only beautiful, but also performed at the highest level of environmental responsibility. Achieving net-zero energy performance requires innovation at every level, from energy generation and efficiency to material selection.

Traditional glass was considered for balcony and railing enclosures, but it posed challenges in both weight and sustainability. The project needed a solution that would deliver the same visual clarity as glass while reducing load and supporting the building’s renewable energy systems.

The Lumicor Solution

To meet these requirements, Lumicor Resin Panels were selected for use in the balconies and rooftop railings of 3Zero3. The panels serve a dual purpose: they provide safety and transparency while also acting as a mounting surface for solar panels on the front of the balconies, seamlessly integrating form and function.

Product: Resin Panels
Décor: Glacier
Resin Type: Lumiclear EX

Lumicor’s Lumiclear EX Resin Panels were the perfect match for this application, offering a balance of strength, sustainability and design flexibility.

Key attributes include:

• Approximately half the weight of glass for easier installation and reduced structural load
• Seven times the impact strength of glass for superior durability and safety
• Ease of fabrication, allowing the design team to achieve precise fits and clean lines
• Refinishing capability. Unlike glass, surface scratches can easily be buffed out or removed with heat or flame, extending the product’s life cycle.
• 50% recycled content, contributing to the project’s sustainability goals
• Exceptional optical clarity and UV resistance for long-lasting performance and beauty

Sustainable Design Elevated

At 3Zero3, sustainability isn’t hidden in the walls or systems — it’s expressed in every visible detail. The use of Lumicor’s Resin Panels showcases how technical performance and design excellence can work hand in hand. The panels’ light-diffusing Glacier décor provides privacy and texture while complementing the building’s sleek façade and modern palette.

Together, these details contribute to a holistic sustainability story, where reduced weight means lower embodied energy and recycled content supports environmental sustainability. The result is a space that’s as efficient as it is elegant.