The Group Health Puyallup (Wash.) Medical Center is the first facility to be certified under the LEED for Healthcare (LEED-HC) rating system, earning LEED Gold. The project, which took advantage of specialized credits that recognize the needs of health facilities, was a collaborative effort of the client, owner’s rep CB Richard Ellis, developer Benaroya Companies, architect CollinsWoerman, contractor GLY, and multiple engineering firms.
Integrated project delivery agreements were based on performance targets for the entire project. Energy savings are estimated at 29% over the LEED baseline (ASHRAE 90.1-2007).
Credits specific to LEED-HC that helped pump up the medical center’s point total included Connection to the Natural World (outdoor landscaping, a patio, and an accessible green roof); Water Use Reduction (reduced use of potable water for cooling medical equipment); Community Contaminant Prevention–Airborne Releases (addressed with a steam generator boiler that reduces NOx emissions); and PBT (persistent bioaccumulative toxin) reduction (minimized through the use of lead-free products and other strategies).
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