 "Buildings are a prime example of how human systems integrate with
natural systems," said Rick Fedrizzi, who is president, CEO and
founding chairman of the U.S. Green Building Council. "The Workforce
Development Center at Heartland Community College efficiently uses
natural resources to make an immediate, positive impact on our
planet, which will tremendously benefit future generations."
Fedrizzi, a former Fortune 500 executive, has helped shape the U.S.
Green Building Council as the pre-eminent green building,
membership, policy, standards, education and research organization
in the nation.
"Studies have shown that an investment in ‘green'
materials and techniques during design and construction results in a
20 percent reduction in a structure's energy use and operating costs
during the lifetime of a building," added Jim Riemer, executive
director of the Capital Development Board, which manages all
non-road, state-funded construction projects. "The Workforce
Development Center is the first of what will be many LEED-certified,
state-funded buildings that demonstrate Gov. Pat Quinn's commitment
to making Illinois a green state."
Heartland's Workforce Development Center was Illinois' first
state-funded building created with a green design to seek LEED
certification. The 100,000-square-foot building exemplifies green
design, construction and operation by using:
-
180 geothermal
wells to optimize building energy performance.
-
Ventilation units
that provide a 100 percent outside air supply while efficiently
recovering heat from the exhaust airstream.
-
Strategic sources
of natural light to reduce the use of artificial light sources
during daylight hours.
-
Occupancy sensors
for lighting throughout the facility.
-
Highly reflective
and efficient light fixtures such as T-5 fluorescent tubes and
compact fluorescent bulbs.
-
Sensors on bathroom
fixtures to reduce water waste and keep facilities more
sanitary.
-
State-of-the-art
carbon dioxide monitoring equipment to ensure high-quality
indoor air.
-
Recycled-content
construction materials.
-
Paint, carpeting,
adhesives, sealants and wood with lower levels of volatile
organic compounds.
-
Ground-facing
outdoor light fixtures to reduce light pollution.
-
Low-maintenance
landscaping for more efficient water use.
-
Recycling bins
placed throughout the facility for paper, cans and plastic
bottles.
-
Green housekeeping
practices that use less toxic cleaning materials.
-
Green Star or other
certified green furnishings.
-
Energy Star computers and appliances.
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Heartland's Workforce Development Center, which opened in August
2007, offers traditional credit classes and is home to the college's
corporate and community education programs and work force services.
The college's technical programs also are located in the center and
include Cisco networking technology, computer science and
technology, Web design, Novell networking, computer-aided design and
drafting, networking, media entertainment systems, home electronic
automation, and electronics and maintenance technology, as well as
classes in accounting, business, welding and office technology. The
Workforce Development Center also has been designated an Apple
Authorized Training Center. In addition, the center houses the
college's Green Institute, which serves as a learning center for
instruction and training programs dedicated to sustainable design.
Within the Green Institute is the award-winning Pregracke Center --
an ecological learning facility named for celebrated Heartland
alumnus and environmentalist Chad Pregracke.
The Washington, D.C.-based U.S.
Green Building Council is committed to a prosperous and
sustainable future through cost-efficient and energy-saving green
buildings. With a community comprising 78 local affiliates, more
than 20,000 member companies and organizations, and more than
100,000 LEED-accredited professionals, the council is the driving
force of an industry that is projected to soar to $60 billion by
2010. The council leads a diverse constituency of builders and
environmentalists, corporations, nonprofit organizations, elected
officials, concerned citizens, teachers, and students.
According to the U.S. Green Building Council, buildings in the
United States are responsible for 39 percent of carbon dioxide
emissions, 40 percent of energy consumption, 13 percent of water
consumption and 15 percent of gross domestic product per year,
making the green building movement a source of significant economic
and environmental opportunity. Greater building efficiency can meet
85 percent of future U.S. demand for energy, and a national
commitment to green building has the potential to generate 2.5
million American jobs.
The USGBC's LEED green building certification system is the
foremost program for the design, construction and operation of green
buildings. Currently, more than 35,000 projects are participating in
the LEED system, comprising over 5.6 billion square feet of
construction space in more than 90 countries. By using less energy,
LEED-certified buildings save money for families, businesses and
taxpayers; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and contribute to a
healthier environment for residents, workers and the larger
community.
[Text from
Heartland Community College] |
