University of Miami facility awarded prestigious LEED Green Building Certification

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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

Congratulations to the University of Miami. i hope in the near future it would be a law to comply with all the features that the University of Miami had done to their facility. what do you think?

Complying with these features would no doubt help out! I could see some new laws or regulations to this effect which would be tremendously beneficial. One can hope