Pharmacy building registered for LEED certification by U.S. Green Building Council
Janel Shoun |
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Lipscomb University has officially registered its renovation of the A.M. Burton Building, to kick off Thursday at 2 p.m., as a LEED project with the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).
At its completion in March, the Burton building will be one of only a handful in Tennessee and one of more than 300 across the nation (as of March 2006) to achieve the LEED-NC Green Building Rating (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for New Construction).
According to the Middle Tennessee Chapter of the USGBC, Tennessee is home to only eight LEED certified buildings, including two at silver level and one at gold level. Platinum is the highest level of LEED certification. None of the currently certified buildings in Tennessee are on a college campus, said James Qualk, spokesman for the USGBC Middle Tennessee Chapter.
“I hope Lipscomb’s proactive approach to environmental building will serve as a model for others in our state,” said Lynelle Jensen, DF Chase Construction project manager for the Burton Building renovation. She has worked on several other LEED building projects, including a platinum project in Texas. “LEED goes far above and beyond standard construction practices. It is very good for our environment and shows a commitment to being good stewards of nature.”
Construction on the $10.1 million renovation to house the first College of Pharmacy in Middle Tennessee, new music facilities and a renovated auditorium, will officially begin Thursday at a 2 p.m. ground-breaking. The 44,000-square-foot Burton Building, completed in 1947, is one of Lipscomb’s oldest and most prominent structures.
Lipscomb officials approved incorporating LEED standards in the Burton project in early May.
“As a Christian university striving to serve and enhance our community, Lipscomb administration were quick to see that supporting sustainable practices is not only a benefit to our neighborhood and the state, but is fully in keeping with Christian principles to honor and care for the world’s resources,” said Danny Taylor, senior vice president for finance and administration.
Tuck Hinton Architects are the architects for the Burton project.Lipscomb's Green Building
In order to achieve LEED certification, Lipscomb and DF Chase must earn at least 26 points out of a possible 69 through various green building methods such as recycling materials, using energy-efficient equipment and improving indoor air quality.
Project administrators expect to earn LEED points, Jensen said, by:
Installing a geothermal heat pump. This environmentally friendly temperature control system uses the constant sub-surface ground temperature to provide heating and cooling. The system reduces greenhouse gas emissions and uses 40-60 percent less energy than a standard heat pump. In summer 2006, Lipscomb was the only college in Nashville proper to have a geothermal heat pump, according to the Tennessee Valley Authority.
Using native plants for landscaping. Lipscomb will also earn points for not installing a new irrigation system with the renovation.
Creating an energy-efficient envelope. Lipscomb plans to install insulation with high R-values to prevent heat escaping the building; double-paned energy-efficient windows; and carbon dioxide censors, which allow air conditioning units to bring in more fresh air.
Using building materials with a recycled content. Carpet, vinyl tile, structural steel, drywall and roofing are all examples of building materials that can contain recycled content. In addition, Lipscomb will try to purchase its building materials from vendors less than 500 miles away, to reduce the energy expenditure in transportation. And re-using the existing Burton Building shell is the biggest recycled product of all.
How LEED Works
LEED certification for new construction and major renovations was introduced in 2000 and is a swiftly growing program, said Qualk. Organizations notify the USGBC of their intent to comply with LEED certification by registering a building. The status of registered buildings can be anything from under construction to inclusion on a master plan for the future. There are thousands of registered projects nationwide, Qualk said.
A building becomes certified when it is completed and its certification documents are approved by the USGBC. There are more than 700 certified buildings nationwide in a number of categories including new construction, commercial interiors, existing buildings and multiple building projects, he said.
New Future for Burton
The Burton Building will be completely gutted and renovated to include a pharmaceutical science research lab, a pharmaceutical preparations lab, a patient physical assessment lab, a computer/dispensing simulation lab, five lecture halls, administrative and faculty offices, a museum, and a series of small group critical thinking discussion rooms, student lounges and student pharmacist organization offices.
Lipscomb expects to enroll the first pharmacy students in fall 2008. The university has already received significant interest from potential students regarding the pharmacy program.
The Burton Building was first called College Hall by students after it was constructed as part of the Lipscomb Expansion Program of 1944. For years Burton served as “the center of student life” as it housed the post office, bookstore, soda fountain, sandwich counter, recreation room and the Bison Lounge.
In 1966 the building was renamed the A.M. Burton Building, and in 1995 it became the home of Lipscomb’s Bible department, and became known as the Burton Bible Building. When the Ezell Center opened on campus last fall, most of the academic departments and administrative offices moved out of Burton, leaving a significant portion of the facility open for growth of new academic programs.
The interior of Burton will change from a closed-off mid-century floor plan to an open, airy floor plan with lots of glass walls, wide corridors and gathering spots. Furniture in the classrooms will be lightweight and portable, allowing for lots of small group interaction.