Another Four 7group Projects Awarded LEED Certification

Recently, four projects were awarded certification under the LEED Green Building Rating System. Dal Molin Multiple Facility Complex (NC v2.2), the Upper Dublin High School (Schools 2.0), and the Germantown Academy Upper/Middle School (Schools 2.0) all earned Gold certification. The Gambet Center at DeSales University earned Certified status under LEED NC 2009.

The Dal Molin Multiple Facility Complex, is a U.S. Military Base located in Vicenza, Italy, and includes over 45 buildings. This project, which is comparable to a university campus, pursued LEED as one project rather than certifying each building individually, and earned Gold certification under the LEED NC v2.2 rating system. The complex includes a co-generation power plant: natural gas engines to increase efficiency and optimize energy re-use, state-of-the-art energy monitoring and control system to enhance efficiency, and use of zero CFC based refrigerants. Water savings were realized through the use of low-flow plumbing. Commissioning services provided by 7group verified various systems used throughout the complex were installed and are operating as intended. These systems included HVAC, plumbing and electrical.

After a district-wide study and a significant amount of discussion, it was determined that a new Upper Dublin High School, located in Fort Washington, PA, was needed to address growing enrollment, lack of space for some educational programs, deficiencies related to the existing aging facility and system infrastructure, and energy efficiency improvements. The new 363,000 sf high school has been built on the existing site, in approximately the same location, and the new building’s footprint generally lies within that of the old school. However, the design of this high school successfully connects the school to the community and creates a learning environment that is flexible, adaptable and transformable to meet changing needs. 7group collaborated with Gilbert Architects and provided guidance, energy modeling and consulting, daylighting analysis and LEED documentation services throughout design and construction to ensure the project met its overall goals. Sustainable, regional and recycled materials were selected, and special care was taken to minimize landfill impacts. Water efficient fixtures and regional landscaping that requires no irrigation were utilized, and energy efficient systems were installed. These strategies led to the project earning LEED Gold certification under the Schools 2.0 rating system.

The Gambet Center at DeSales University is a 78,000 sf state-of-the facility for Business, Nursing and Physician Assistant Education for undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The facility includes simulation laboratories to replicate clinical scenarios, standardized patient exam suites, mock hospital room laboratories, a human anatomy lab, simulation center and offices, a cafe, student lounge space, a divisible 200 seat lecture hall, smart classrooms with the latest technology, seminar/conference rooms, administrative suites, and faculty offices. The design incorporated sustainable features to reduce energy and water usage, and included certified wood and regionally produced building materials, preferred parking for low-emission vehicles, multiple thermostat controls, and outdoor air delivery monitoring. These strategies as well as commissioning services provided by 7group to verify the building’s systems were installed and functioning properly, contributed to the center earning Certified status under the LEED NC 2009 rating system.

As the Germantown Academy located in Fort Washington, PA, started to implement its sustainable master plan, developed by Wallace Roberts & Todd, it quickly became apparent that constructing a new Upper/Middle School was a priority in the first phase. The new 160,000 sf facility designed by Wallace Roberts & Todd continues the academy’s traditional stone architecture, but blends into a more contemporary design on the portion that views the Wissahickon Creek, which runs through the campus. This modern glass and metal architecture helps connect the school to the creek allowing it to be used as an ecological and educational resource. The project is shock full of sustainable design strategies that extend the building and campus as teaching tools: rainwater harvesting systems and a green roof teach about stormwater management issues, green materials teach about resources, advanced system controls display the workings of the building, and outdoor courtyard spaces provide new outdoor programming opportunities allowing for direct interaction with nature. The school’s layout maximizes daylighting and campus views, and high efficiency mechanical/ventilation equipment contribute to reducing energy needs to less than 80% of the current national energy efficiency standards. These strategies earned the project LEED Gold certification under the Schools 2.0 rating system.

7group is committed to continue collaborating with such innovative project teams developing cutting-edge sustainable designs and is honored to include these projects in our ever growing repertoire, which currently includes 117 projects whose efforts have been certified under LEED, Living Building Challenge and Green Globes.