Helen DeVos Children's Hospital bags LEED Gold
Helen DeVos Children's Hospital in Michigan, US has won LEED Gold from the US Green Building Council.
The design and construction work of the hospital has been executed by a collaboration between URS Corporation, Turner Construction and Wolverine Building Group. The facility is the only hospital in Michigan to achieve the certification.
The 14-level structure spans 440,000 square feet housing private inpatient rooms. It sports an expanded neonatal centre comprising 40 private rooms, and a pediatric critical care unit for critically ill and injured children with a bed capacity of 24. Among its other features include an emergency wing and operating and recovery rooms for children, a pediatric heart catheterization lab and pediatric radiology department fitted with advanced diagnostic imaging technology, quiet spaces, a chapel, and an outdoor garden.
The facility incorporates various green features such as a highly-efficient building envelope and heat recovery system. These, coupled with efficient HVAC system, and lighting design and controls contribute to reduction in energy usage. The property also comprises low-flow plumbing fixtures, and high-performance irrigation systems which reap water savings.
The hospital upgrades its indoor air quality with use of materials which cut down emission of indoor air contaminants. Use of regionally-sourced and reclaimed materials, as well as recycling 94% of its construction waste add to its sustainability.
