WMU's seven LEED buildings draw recognition

Western Michigan University continues to get national exposure for its focus on working to make sure existing buildings meet the stringent requirements of LEED--Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design--the national benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings.

 

In the December 2012 issue of Building magazine special features of the WMU's College of Health and Human Services building were highlighted in a story on what goes into obtaining LEED certification for existing buildings. 

 

Now seven campus buildings have LEED designations. In December Brown Hall and the Chemistry Building were certified as LEED for existing buildings. Four new buildings in the Western View student housing complex earned LEED designations in November. And the College of Health and Human Services earned a LEED gold designation for an existing building in 2009.

 

It takes a lot of work to get existing buildings into shape to meet LEED standard and to document the changes that have been made. For example:  Brown Hall now has a computer-controlled irrigation system, 

water-efficient fixtures, including dual flush toilets, energy-efficient classroom lighting with dimmers and occupancy sensors and compact fluorescent site lighting.

 

The newly certified Brown Hall, Chemistry Building and Western View buildings share several green design features, including integration into WMU's award-winning stormwater retention system. Brown and the Chemistry Building also are cleaned with green products.

 

"The U.S. Green Building Council's designations acknowledge our commitment to energy efficiency and our determination to use the resources entrusted to us in the most effective ways possible," says WMU President John M. Dunn.