UMass' medical building secures LEED Silver certification
The Ambulatory Care Center at the University of Massachusetts (UMass) Medical School's Worcester campus has secured LEED Silver certification from the US Green Building Council.
In collaboration with the Medical School and its clinical partner the UMass Memorial Medical Center, the Ambulatory Care Center (ACC) was built in 2010. The 253,000-square-foot ACC is the first building to become LEED-certified for sustainable design and operational efficiency.
The certification was achieved after the incorporation of various features. The building's design and orientation helps prevent solar heat gain, which reduces the need for mechanical cooling. The building has a white roof to diminish the "heat island effect" and reflect rather than absorb heat. A tight exterior building envelope has been built with tinted, reflective, and insulated glass to further reduce heat. An east-west building orientation was designed to minimise the number of south-facing windows.
Due to usage of automatic low-flow/low-flush plumbing fixtures, water use in the ACC is approximately 30% less than a conventional building . Electricity consumption is reduced through sophisticated controls for heating, cooling and lighting.
Designed by Boston-based Payette , the facility accommodates various patient-care, clinical research and educational activities. Consigli Construction of Milford was the construction manager and general contractor.
