image: The University of Miami Field House, a multipurpose facility, has been awarded the LEED Gold certification established by the US Green Building Council. It was honored specifically for its energy use, lighting, water and material use as well as incorporating a variety of other sustainable strategies. view more
Credit: University of Miami
The University of Miami Field House, a multipurpose facility at the Coral Gables campus, has been honored for its sustainability components. It was awarded the LEED® Gold designation established by the U.S. Green Building Council and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI). LEED is the nation's preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings.
"The University is committed to energy conservation and the reduction of energy dependency," said Eduardo A. Lopez, senior project manager of UM Facilities, Design and Construction Department "The benefits of a LEED certified structure are the lower operation cost resulting from the use of high efficient components and developing the mind set to design and build energy and environmental sustainable structures that reduce energy consumption and dependency."
The UM Field House achieved LEED certification specifically for its energy use, lighting, water and material use as well as incorporating a variety of other sustainable strategies. By using less energy and water, LEED certified buildings save money for families, businesses and taxpayers; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and contribute to a healthier environment for residents, workers and the larger community.
"The green building movement offers an unprecedented opportunity to respond to the most important challenges of our time, including global climate change, dependence on non-sustainable and expensive sources of energy and threats to human health," said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO & Founding Chair, U.S. Green Building Council. "The work of innovative building projects such as The University of Miami Field House is a fundamental driving force in the green building movement."
LEED Certification of the UM field House was based on a number of green design and construction features that positively impact the project itself and the broader community. These features include:
- High reflectance roofing materials and pavers
- High efficiency plumbing fixtures with hand sensors to reduce water use
- Moisture sensors to reduce potable water use for irrigation
- Energy efficient lighting, insulated glazing and high efficiency air conditioning aimed at reducing the building's energy cost based on the Florida Energy Code
- The use of recycled, refurbished, salvaged or reused materials, as well as the use of regional materials processed and manufactured regionally
- Paints, coatings and adhesives with low emitting gases content
- All lighting systems are occupancy motion controlled
- Preferred parking for low emitting and fuel efficient vehicles
The UM Field House, which opened in March 2009, sits adjacent to the Bank United Center at the UM Coral Gables campus. The building is 29,697 square feet and serves dual functions: to house the basketball courts for the University basketball teams and to assist in a variety of University and students events, including commencement ceremonies. Its design and construction is consistent with the University of Miami's Green U initiative to become more sustainable through the procurement of environmentally responsible products and environmentally sound maintenance and operations procedures for existing and new buildings.
The University of Miami began its resolute dedication to the protection of the environment in 2005, when it launched the Green U program, which puts in practice ideas that address concerns about the safety of the environment. As part of the ongoing commitment towards the creation of a sustainable campus, President Donna E. Shalala signed the Talloires Declaration of the Association of University Leaders for a Sustainable Future and the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment in 2007. For more information about Green U, see: http://www7.miami.edu/ftp/umgreen/index.html
About the University of Miami
The University of Miami's mission is to educate and nurture students, to create knowledge, and to provide service to our community and beyond. Committed to excellence and proud of the diversity of our University family, we strive to develop future leaders of our nation and the world. www.miami.edu
About U.S. Green Building Council
The Washington, D.C.-based U.S. Green Building Council is committed to a prosperous and sustainable future for our nation through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. With a community comprising 78 local affiliates, more than 20,000 member companies and organizations, and more than 100,000 LEED Accredited Professionals, USGBC is the driving force of an industry that is projected to soar to $60 billion by 2010. The USGBC leads an unlikely diverse constituency of builders and environmentalists, corporations and nonprofit organizations, elected officials and concerned citizens, and teachers and students .Buildings in the United States are responsible for 39% of CO2 emissions, 40% of energy consumption, 13% water consumption and 15% of GDP per year, making green building a source of significant economic and environmental opportunity. Greater building efficiency can meet 85%of future U.S. demand for energy, and a national commitment to green building has the potential to generate 2.5 million American jobs.
About LEED
The U.S. Green Building Council's LEED green building certification system is the foremost program for the design, construction and operation of green buildings. The U.S. Green Building Council's LEED rating system is the preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of green buildings. 35,000 projects are currently participating in the LEED system, comprising over 5.6 billion square feet of construction space in all 50 states and 91 countries. By using less energy, LEED-certified buildings save money for families, businesses and taxpayers; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and contribute to a healthier environment for residents, workers and the larger community.
USGBC was co-founded by current President and CEO Rick Fedrizzi, who spent 25 years as a Fortune 500 executive Under his 15-year leadership, the organization has become the preeminent green building, membership, policy, standards, influential, education and research organization in the nation. For more information, visit www.usgbc.org.