Systems within a highly efficient structure Last month, crews continued to construct the five-story PAE Living Building in downtown Portland. The project team is on track to deliver the building in September. (Josh Kulla/for the DJC) The challenge: construct a building to meet perhaps today’s most advanced sustainability metrics. The anticipated outcome: a self-sufficient building in terms of energy use, water use, waste, and more. PAE Engineers, ZGF Architects and Walsh Construction embarked on this expedition nearly three years ago. Now the project team is just a few months from completion – the PAE Living Building is on track to open in September.