Vagelos Education Center receives LEED Gold for sustainability achievement

The Roy and Diana Vagelos Education Center is a state-of-the-art medical and graduate education building that reflects how medicine is taught, learned, and practiced in the 21st century. The building was recently recognized with LEED Gold certification.

LEED certification, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification, is a globally recognized symbol of achievement in the design, construction, maintenance, and operations of high-performance green buildings.

Below are just a few of the areas where the building’s design, construction, and maintenance made an impact. You can also download our LEED Gold infographic (.pdf).

• Enhanced Commissioning. Mechanical and electric systems have been set up for smooth and efficient operation, maximizing energy performance and occupant comfort.
• Indoor Environmental Quality. Occupants have more fresh, clean air when they need it. To further guarantee comfort, we used low-emitting materials throughout the building to minimize chemical contaminants that could harm air quality, human health, productivity, and the environment.
• Green Power. 1,500,000 kWh of clean energy were purchased to cover 70 percent of the building’s energy consumption for two years.
• Stormwater Design: Quantity Control. We capture and treat storm water runoff to remove 80 percent of the total suspended solids (pollutants).
• Water Use Reduction. Thanks to high-efficiency indoor plumbing xtures, we anticipate a 37 percent reduction in annual water consumption when compared to the baseline water usage rate.
• Recycled Content. Materials with recycled content made up 23 percent of the total cost of building materials.
• Green Housekeeping Plan. The custodial operations team follows a green cleaning program that encompasses staff training, cleaning processes and chemicals, and occupant feedback.
• Integrated Pest Management Plan. If any pests are detected, integrated (nonchemical) methods will be implemented as the rst control step. Subsequent steps use “least toxic”-rated pesticides before resorting to non-“least toxic” pesticides.
• Alternative Transportation: Low-Emitting and Fuel-Efficient Vehicles. CUIMC employees and students have access to 52 bicycle racks. Four electrical vehicle charging stations are available in the 100 Haven Ave. parking garage.
• Construction Waste Management. We recycled 93 percent of construction waste—3,061 Tons.

Top image credit: Pavel Bendov