St. Louis Community College’s William J. Harrison Education Center recently received Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.
The LEED green building rating system is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. The gold rating is the second highest ranking obtainable under the LEED system.
The rating is based on incorporation of design and construction features that address site sustainability, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere considerations, materials and resources usage, and indoor environmental quality. To achieve gold certification, a building must earn a minimum total of 39 points in those five areas. The Harrison Center, located at 3140 Cass Ave., applied for 46 points and received 45.
Design partners in the Harrison Center are KAI Design & Build, architect and engineer; William Tao and Associates, LEED and technology consultant; J.R. Grimes, civil engineer; Shannon & Wilson, environmental consultant; Kwame Building Group, construction manager; and C. Rallo Contracting Co. Inc., Wachter Inc., Simms Building Group and Birkel Electric, contractors.
KAI Design & Build, Kwame Building Group and Simms Building Group are St. Louis-based minority business enterprises.
“We are thrilled and very proud that the Harrison Center has achieved‘gold’ status,” said Cindy Hess, STLCC-Forest Park campus president. “Our students and this historic neighborhood and community deserve a state-of-the-art facility in which they can prosper and grow as they achieve their educational goals.”
The Harrison Center, which opened for classes in August 2010, is the first LEED gold-certified education facility in St. Louis city. It joins STLCC’s Wildwood campus as one of only two LEED gold-certified community college facilities in Missouri.
“Green”elements incorporated into the Harrison Center include: lighting controllability, energy efficient heating and cooling systems, indoor chemical and pollutant source control, and use of recycled materials in the building’s construction.
The 31,000 square-foot facility features an art studio, science and computer labs, five classrooms, multi-purpose community room, bookstore, commons area, outreach center and administrative offices. The center offers credit and non-credit courses in environmental sciences, allied health, computers/technology, and workforce training and development.
The primary entrance includes a transparent elevator tower as a focal point, and features a large, light-filled central atrium and open seating areas on the second floor overlooking the atrium. The building contains high-tech audio-visual equipment and provides wireless connectivity throughout.
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