One of the greenest buildings in Central Wisconsin has earned high marks for sustainable construction from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).
The Suites@201 residence hall at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point was awarded a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Gold Certification. Verified by the Green Building Certification Institute, the LEED certification is the nation’s preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. The four levels of certification—platinum, gold, silver or certified—are based on energy use, lighting, water and material use as well as other sustainable strategies.
“As the birthplace of conservation education, UW-Stevens Point is proud to uphold its tradition of sustainability through our building and landscaping practices, classroom instruction and student leadership,” said Chancellor Bernie Patterson. “Ecological stewardship is among the set of values that guide the university as we move forward.”
From its beginning stages, the suites were planned to be built to the highest green building and performance measures, from a sustainable site development to materials selection and indoor environmental quality. Before construction on the suites began, care was taken to reuse and recycle more than 96 percent of the materials from Hyer Hall, which was demolished to make room for the new building.
USGBC based UW-Stevens Point’s gold certification on a number of features at the suites, including:
Sustainable site selection and development, including use of nearby public transportation, maximized open space and use of daylight
Water-efficient landscaping and reduction of water use
Optimized energy performance through reduced interior lighting power density, on-site renewable energy solar panels for water heating and use of the NatureWise renewable energy program
Recycling collection and storage areas
Recycling of construction waste and use of recycled building materials
Use of regional building materials and those that preserve indoor air quality
Innovation in use of green housekeeping and use of the space for environmental education
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