The U.S. Green Building Council awarded the Joliet Junior College (JJC) Facility Services Building a LEED New Construction 2009 Gold certification – making the Facility Services Building the first of its kind on a higher education campus to receive this level of certification.
Designed by Legat Architects and built by Gilbane, the Facility Services Building’s new mechanical and electrical systems resulted in a 42% reduction in energy use and an annual savings of approximately 37% in operating costs.
Gilbane oversaw the procurement, installation and commissioning of all the LEED systems, working with contractors to ensure that they used LEED-compliant materials and submitting the documentation for all of the LEED construction-related points. The team also worked with JJC to lead a significant construction waste recycling effort.
Sustainable elements of the building include:
- Geothermal HVAC system to reduce heating and cooling loads
- Reflective roof surface to reduce heat gain
- Solar heat collectors tied to outside air intake to minimize the amount of energy used to heat the inside of the building
- Use of LED lighting in all areas of the building
- Motion sensors for lighting in occupied spaces
- Operable, high-efficiency windows to improve ventilation and bring in fresh air
- More than 75% of construction waste diverted from landfills
- Use of recycled and locally sourced materials during construction
- Low-VOC paints, adhesives, and sealants used in all spaces of the building
JJC’s Facility Services Building is part of a $220 million master plan aimed at transforming the college’s approach to sustainability and efficiency. The 42,500-square-foot facility replaces several scattered temporary buildings that previously housed the custodial, maintenance, planning/construction and roads/grounds staff at JJC. BD+C
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Nov 2, 2022
New York City construction official wants to boost design-build
The new associate commissioner of alternative delivery in New York City’s Department of Design and Construction aims to encourage more design-build project delivery in the city.
University Buildings | Nov 2, 2022
New Univ. of Calif. Riverside business school building will support hybrid learning
A design-build partnership of Moore Ruble Yudell and McCarthy Building Companies will collaborate on a new business school building at the University of California at Riverside.
Building Team | Nov 1, 2022
Nonresidential construction spending increases slightly in September, says ABC
National nonresidential construction spending was up by 0.5% in September, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data published today by the U.S. Census Bureau.
40 Under 40 | Nov 1, 2022
40 Under 40 class of 2022 winners: Meet the architects
Of the up-and-coming AEC professionals to be named 40 Under 40 class of 2022 winners by the editors of Building Design+Construction, 22 make their living in the architecture profession.
K-12 Schools | Nov 1, 2022
Safety is the abiding design priority for K-12 schools
With some exceptions, architecture, engineering, and construction firms say renovations and adaptive reuse make up the bulk of their work in the K-12 schools sector.
| Nov 1, 2022
Updated Florida building codes helped newer homes withstand Hurricane Ian
Newer homes seemed to fare much better than older structures during Hurricane Ian, suggesting that updated Florida building codes made a difference.
Wood | Nov 1, 2022
A European manufacturer says its engineered wood products can store carbon for decades
Metsä Wood, a Finland-based manufacturer of engineered wood products, says its sustainable, material-efficient products can store carbon for decades, helping to combat climate change.
Data Centers | Oct 31, 2022
Data center construction facing record-breaking inflation, delays
Data center construction projects face record-breaking inflation amid delays to materials deliveries and competition for skilled labor, according to research from global professional services company Turner & Townsend.
School Construction | Oct 31, 2022
Claremont McKenna College science center will foster integrated disciplinary research
The design of the Robert Day Sciences Center at Claremont McKenna College will support “a powerful, multi-disciplinary, computational approach to the grand socio-scientific challenges and opportunities of our time—gene, brain, and climate,” says Hiram E. Chodosh, college president.
Energy Efficient Roofing | Oct 28, 2022
Rooftop mini turbines can pair with solar panels
A new type of wind turbine can pair well on roofs with solar panels, offering a double source of green energy generation for buildings.
