News Release

UM Clinical Research Building awarded prestigious LEED Building Certification

Grant and Award Announcement

University of Miami

University of Miami Clinical Research Building

image: The University of Miami Clinical Research Building on the medical campus achieved LEED certification specifically for its energy use, water and material use, as well as incorporating a variety of other sustainable strategies. view more 

Credit: University of Miami

MIAMI, FL (December 1, 2009)—The Clinical Research Building (CRB), at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, has been honored for its sustainability components. The building was awarded the LEED® 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 green buildings.

"Having a LEED certified building means we're doing our part as a University to be environmentally and socially responsible," says Juan C. Endara, project manager of UM Facilities, Design and Construction. "The LEED certification of the building recognizes those efforts."

The Clinical Research Building on the medical campus achieved LEED certification specifically for its energy use, 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 building meets a high level of performance standards, provides a healthier work environment for the employees and occupants, and costs less to operate and maintain than a non-certified building," Endara says.

LEED Certification of the UM CRB was based on a number of green design and construction features that positively impact the project itself and the broader community. These features include:

  • Use of drought tolerant native shrubs and planting materials resulting in 53 percent reduction of irrigating water consumption.
  • Use of plumbing fixtures that reduce the use of potable water consumption by 30 percent
  • Providing 78 percent of the building's electricity with renewable sources (green power)
  • Use of carpet tiles made with recycled materials and use of adhesives with low emitting gases content
  • An HVAC (heating, ventilating and air conditioning system) designed to conserve energy
  • Implementation of a Green-Cleaning Housekeeping Program

The main purpose of the CRB is to support the continued growth of the UM Miller School of Medicine's clinical research programs and to consolidate current clinical research programs into a single facility. The 15 story, 336,000 square-foot building sits adjacent to SR 836 and I-95, at 1120 NW 14th Street. 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.

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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.


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