Nursing & Health Sciences building to be first LEED certified on campus


October 22, 2008

New Nursing & Health Sciences Building

New Nursing & Health Sciences Building

MIAMI — As construction continues on the new College of Nursing & Health Sciences (CNHS) building on Florida International University’s University Park, project leaders and college officials have announced that the new facility has been officially LEED registered, and all steps are being taken in order to culminate with LEED certification. When the process is completed and approved, the new CNHS building will be the first LEED-certified building in the University’s history.

LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a third-party certification program and the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of sustainable green building and development practices.

“Last year I, on behalf of the entire FIU community, made a public commitment to continue on a path of environmental responsibility and sustainable development,” said FIU President Modesto A. Maidique, who signed the American Colleges and University Presidents Climate Commitment.   “The new Nursing & Health Sciences building presents us with the first real opportunity to build an entire structure around the concept of energy conservation and environmental sensitivity.”

LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.

The construction of FIU’s first LEED-building follows in step with the growing number of state and local governments and institutions nationwide that are adopting LEED certification for public-owned and public-funded buildings.  A LEED Certification Team has been appointed to prepare and guide the University through the administrative stages of the certification process for the CNHS building.

According to John Cal, FIU’s vice president for Facilities Management, “every effort is being made to be as ‘green’ as possible in the different operations of construction.”  In addition to using sustainable construction materials, other vital elements during the construction process that will help in obtaining certification, include:

– separating and recycling of construction debris
– abating noise levels
– securing the green treatment of the land, trees, and buildings in the surrounding areas
– employing water management solutions
– limiting disturbance around the construction site
– ensuring the safety and facility of students’ mobility to their classes and activities to nearby buildings and spaces

Among the design “eco-highlights” of the new CNHS building will be the unique “grass” roof over the 2nd floor corridor. Low-maintenance grass and vegetation will be planted on the roof, which will only be sustained from natural rainwater.  In addition to its aesthetics, the grass roof will serve to insulate the corridor below, and help absorb the heat and ultraviolet effects of the sun’s rays from hitting the building directly. Other design features that will help lower energy consumption are:

– occupancy sensor lighting in all classrooms and offices
– sunrise/sunset timers and sensors to manage landscape, building exterior and lobby lighting operations

“This new building will not only be one of the most advanced and dynamic health care education and research facilities in the region, but also a successful example of the University’s growing commitment towards environmental awareness and preservation,” said Dean of Nursing and Health Sciences Divina Grossman, PhD, RN, ARNP, FAAN.

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Mary Sudasassi Haber & Quinn Public Relations ms@haberandquinn.com (954) 764-6011 x: 26

About the FIU College of Nursing & Health Sciences:
Established in 1982, the School of Nursing at Florida International University (FIU) was elevated in October 2006 into the College of Nursing & Health Sciences.  It is the second-largest producer of nursing professionals in the State, offering undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, baccalaureate completion and specialty programs in nursing education.  The College is fully accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, the Florida State Board of Nursing and the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs.  Based in Miami, Florida, the College of Nursing & Health Sciences is a part of Florida International University, a federally designated Hispanic-serving institution with a Carnegie Foundation classification as a doctoral, research extensive university. FIU has ranked among the top 100 public national universities by U.S. News & World Reports.