Nursing Building Wins LEED Silver

The Duke University School of Nursing building, already pleasing to the eye since its August 2006 opening, has won a coveted designation that certifies it's also pleasing to the environment.

The building has just received silver LEED certification - a rating of construction standards based on the number of LEED points (33) it earned. It's the fourth new construction project at Duke to earn the silver LEED designation, and one of only 400 nationally.

LEED buildings use resources in a more environmentally friendly manner compared with conventional buildings. LEED buildings also offer a better work environment with an eye on employee health and comfort.

"The Duke University School of Nursing is proud to be in a leadership position nationally and across the Duke campus with our commitment to using sustainable materials and techniques in the construction and maintenance of our facility," said Catherine L. Gilliss, dean of the Duke University School of Nursing and vice chancellor for nursing affairs, Duke Medicine.SON

The building's "green" elements are spread across the five LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) categories, plus Innovation and Design Process:

-- Sustainable Sites: The design team used techniques to reduce site disturbance both during construction and after occupancy by minimizing the building footprint and protecting the site's open spaces. Further design steps helped manage stormwater generation and reduce heat island effects. The site takes advantage of campus infrastructure such as Duke's bus system and incorporates options for alternative transportation (bicycle storage and changing rooms, plus vanpooling preferred parking).

-- Water Efficiency: A careful landscaping design specifies plants that will not require watering after a two-year establishing period. Within the building, low-flow toilets and water fixtures reduce potable water use by 30 percent.

-- Energy and Atmosphere: The building uses less energy than a typical project of its size, saving 32.5 percent in lighting wattage alone. Other achievements include reduced CFC use, elimination of HCFC and Halons, which contribute to ozone depletion.

-- Materials & Resources: Achievements include diverting 50 percent of construction waste from the landfill, and using 40 percent local, regional and recycled content materials. Also, granite pavers discovered on the site were given to Duke Forest and the site's existing asphalt was ground on-site for reuse as concrete.

-- Indoor Environmental Quality: Features include construction and pre-occupancy indoor air quality plans and selection of low VOC-emitting adhesives, paints, sealers and carpets. Indoor chemical and pollutant source control planning was incorporated and occupants are given the ability to open windows and control lights to their comfort.

Beyond the standard LEED points, the DUMC architect encouraged the pursuit of "green housekeeping," which mandates environmentally preferred chemicals, microfiber mops and recycled paper products in accordance with Green Seal Standards. The DUSON building will become the first at Duke to incorporate the program.