The University of Vermont Medical Center Miller Inpatient Building Reaches LEED Gold Status

E4H announces today the LEED Gold certification of the Miller Inpatient Building at University of Vermont Medical Center. E4H, the top ranked design firm solely committed to healthcare and health science + technology facilities, worked with sustainability consultants Thornton Tomasetti to design a state-of-the-art facility that prioritizes patient comfort, staff safety, and environmental sustainability. The 162,000SF inpatient bed tower uses 40% less energy than a comparable hospital facility.

“Environmental sustainability was a top priority for the client, from the initial design concepts and construction techniques to daily operations. Traditional healthcare facilities are environmentally inefficient, and attaining LEED Gold is a huge achievement,” remarked Thomas Morris, Partner. “We believe this project will set a new standard for sustainability in hospitals nationwide.”

The design, construction, and operations prioritize environmental sustainability every step of the way. Several strategies were implemented to attain LEED Gold certification.  Highlights include:

·         The exterior glazing uses electrochromic glass, which adjusts its tint to reduce solar gains improving thermal comfort and providing occupant control

·         An active chilled beam system for energy efficient heating and cooling

·         Locally sourced: 16% of the architectural and site materials come from a 500-mile radius of the building site

·         Recycled materials: 18% of architectural and site material was recycled content such as denim insulation and lightweight concrete

·         Over 90% of the wood used on the project is FSC certified

·         Construction waste: 95% of the waste generated during construction was recycled

·         Healthy materials were selected to minimize the use of mercury and lead. Low-VOC paints, coatings, ceiling, and flooring were used throughout

Achieving a LEED Gold Certification for a medical facility is uncommon, underscoring UVM Medical Center’s and E4H’s commitment to bolstering sustainability across the medical design discipline.

“We’re excited to receive this designation and continue to provide high-quality care in this amazing facility,” said Stephen Leffler, MD, President and Chief Operating Officer of the UVM Medical Center. “We hear from our patients and families they love receiving care in the Miller Building, which we attribute to the energy saving design and safe, welcoming environment for patients, families and staff. This is great recognition for the dedicated people who designed, built and work in this space.”