Washington College earns LEED Gold rating for green design

By Jason Segarra on Monday, December 28, 2009 at 23:43

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Reflecting a more global view on mankind''s potential effects on the environment at large, the names of the game in modern architecture seems to be sustainable design. In an effort to honor those buildings that best represent a commitment to green building and social responsibility, the U.S. Green Building Council created the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system.

The group has recently issued a Gold rating, its highest honor, to Bellevue College''s new science and technology building, a three-story, 64,000 square-foot facility that boasts five high-tech classrooms, 16 advanced laboratories and a science study center.

Officially dubbed the S building, the structure was completed in March to house the school''s expanding science programs.

It uses loss-reducing roof, wall and window designs to lower heating demands, receives 91 percent of its lighting through natural openings in the structure, employs low flow fixtures and sustainable landscaping and uses electricity from renewable resources for more than 1/3 of its power needs.

The S building reportedly cost $34 million to build, and represents the first LEED award for its designers, the Miller Hull Partnership.