LCCC’s river research center gets gold for green standards
From Illinois Business Journal news services
ALTON – The National Great Rivers Research and Education Center is officially the gold standard in sustainable building.
Its Jerry F. Costello Confluence Field Station was recently awarded LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council.
“This particular research facility is a very complex structure,” said Dale Chapman, NGRREC board chair and president of Lewis and Clark Community College. “To receive Gold level LEED Certification for such a complex building added challenges. It is great to have this national organization affirm that we have achieved construction, operation and sustainability goals at the highest levels.”
NGRREC applied for a possible 46 points, including points for its water conservation systems, vegetated roof, renewable energy production and energy saving measures, such as solar panels and high efficiency heating and cooling system, as well as the use of all native landscaping on the site. The project earned 45.
Recycled materials are employed throughout the building’s construction including rebar in the concrete, metal studs, rubber floor tiles, counter tops and many other features.
