Contact:
Joe Muehlenkamp
Phone: 314.977.8015
muehlenk@slu.edu

December 6, 2005

ST. LOUIS -- Saint Louis University’s new biomedical Research Building could become the largest facility of its kind in the St. Louis area to earn a “green” designation from the U.S. Green Building Council, a leading non-profit group dedicated to sustainable building design and construction.

The University is seeking silver certification in Leadership Energy & Environmental Design, a rating system administered by the council. For more information, visit www.usgbc.org.

“Because the Research Building will enhance our efforts to improve people’s health, it seemed particularly important that we make a special commitment that this building be environmentally friendly,” said University Provost Dr. Joe Weixlmann.

The LEED Green Building Rating System is a voluntary national standard for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings. There are four LEED certification levels for green buildings – platinum, gold, silver and certified, with platinum the highest.

To qualify for any level LEED certification, buildings must meet certain standards in energy efficiency and other areas. Points are awarded for various aspects of the project, which undergoes a rigorous review process before certification is awarded.

Very few major research facilities seek “green” status, said Punit Jain, associate vice president and sustainable design coordinator with Cannon Design, the SLU Research Building’s architect. That’s because these structures have significant construction and operational demands, he said.

Although there are increased costs associated with constructing a LEED-certified building, Denise Taylor, SLU’s associate vice president for facilities planning, said the building’s design will save the University money in operational costs. Among the attributes that are expected to earn the SLU Research Building “green” status are:

• Walls of windows that flood the building interiors with natural light, saving energy and promoting well-being among the researchers and technicians.
• About 8,000 square feet of the roof structure will be “green,” featuring various types of vegetation. The rest of the roof will be reflective. Both designs will reduce the amount of ambient heat given off by the building.
• Air quality will meet or exceed standards set forth by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers.
• HVAC equipment will contain no chlorofluorocarbons or CFCs, considered harmful to the environment.
• Existing buildings, streets and parking lots were removed from the site, and no significant parking is being added. Converting former asphalt surfaces to porous surfaces results in a significant decrease in the amount of rainwater that will run off into the city’s storm water system.
• The building features extra bike storage, lockers and showers to encourage employees to bike to work.
• Those who carpool or drive hybrid vehicles will find special parking spaces just for them.
• Steel, brick and other materials removed from the site during the demolition process are being recycled.
• SLU also is using recycled materials for the final project, including steel, concrete, floor finishes and carpeting.
• Materials from rapidly renewable sources, such as bamboo and cork, have been specified for use in the building.
• Work crews are adhering to a strict construction material management plan that includes separate dumpsters for construction waste materials to make sure they are as marketable as possible to recycling companies.

Although many other components are expected to earn LEED points for the Research Building, Weixlmann said the final count isn’t Saint Louis University’s greatest concern.

“We are more concerned with making a strong commitment to the well-being of the Midtown community and the environment generally,” Weixlmann said.

Expected to open in Fall 2007, the new facility at the intersection of Grand Boulevard and Chouteau Avenue will make it possible for SLU scientists to make research discoveries in five key areas: cancer, liver disease, heart/lung disease, aging and brain disease, and biosecurity/vaccine development The 206,000 square-foot, 10-story structure, is part of the largest construction project in SLU’s history.

###