UNCG's School of Education bags LEED Gold certification
The new $47.5 million School of Education of University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) in North Carolina, US has secured LEED Gold certification from the US Green Building Council.
The facility, which opened in August 2011, is the first UNCG building to receive the certification. It covers an area of 110,500 square feet. Among its various components are 19 general use classrooms, a pair of new general-use lecture halls, and a tiered case-study classroom.
The building incorporates a host of eco-friendly elements. It has been equipped with high-performance ventilation units which exceed LEED standards by 30%. The entire facility also features several thermostats which help control the building's temperature. Installation of various energy-efficient systems helps reap energy cost cuts of nearly 35%.
The facility incorporates bio-retention pond and sand filtration system which allow filtering of storm water run-off. These, coupled with other water saving measures, lead to about 50% reduction in total water usage.
The building makes extensive use of low VOC paints, sealants and carpet. Use of reclaimed and rapidly renewable materials, certified wood, and recycling of 88% of construction debris from landfills further add to the sustainability. Creation of bicycle storage and changing rooms boosts the green initiative.
