ABA GREEN NEWS

THE WELL RECEIVES GOLD CERTIFICATION FROM LEED

Sacramento State’s recreation and wellness center, The WELL, has been awarded LEED Gold certification for achieving environmental goals such as energy efficiency and recycling.

LEED – Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design – is part of the non-profit U.S. Green Building Council and is the nation’s preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings. Designations start at Certified and go up to Silver, Gold and Platinum.

The 151,000-square-foot WELL opened Sept. 2, 2010, and combines fitness offerings such as weight and cardio machines, basketball courts and rock climbing with a full-service health center in one comprehensive program.
The building incorporates a number of environmental and energy-saving elements in its design.

•    The entrance atrium's 40-foot-wide skylight made of special materials regulates building temperature.
•    The building's north-south orientation ensures the main entrances will not be exposed to direct sunlight.
•    The green details in the terrazzo floor are from recycled glass bottles.
•    Multiple windows and skylights eliminate the need for artificial lighting during the day.
•    The primary ingredient in the gymnasium walls is sunflower seeds.

"Sacramento State students did a tremendous job working with the architects in designing The WELL to maximize its sustainability and energy efficiency," says University President Alexander Gonzalez. "Its features demonstrate that utility and efficiency can go hand-in-hand."

"We promised to create a campus-centered, sustainable facility and we have done just that," says Leslie Davis, executive director of The WELL and University Union. "It was the work of the entire team – students, staff, campus administration, architects, project managers – that contributed to this great achievement."

The WELL was designed by lead architect Hornberger + Worstell and associate architect Ellerbe Becket Inc. Construction manager at risk and general contractor was McCarthy Building Cos., and Tony Moayed Construction Services Inc. was the construction manager and inspector of record.

"As the newest member of the LEED family of green buildings, Sacramento State’s WELL is an important addition to the growing strength of the green building movement," says Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chair, U.S Green Building Council.

SMUD AWARDS SAC STATE FOR ENERGY SAVINGS

The Sacramento Municipal Utility District presented a $75,572 award to Sacramento State in recognition of the energy efficiency of The WELL, the University’s new recreation and wellness center. The ceremony took place April 26 on the second floor of The WELL with University and SMUD officials attending.

SMUD participates in Savings by Design, a statewide program that rewards projects that exceed the state’s energy standards. The WELL exceeded those standards by 20 percent, thanks to features such as natural lighting and fans that reduce the need for air conditioning.

"The WELL has been a resounding success for Sacramento State and the students who approved, funded and designed such a state-of-the-art facility," said University President Alexander Gonzalez. "It has also allowed our University to demonstrate that a functional, appealing building can be built without sacrificing the energy features that are so important to the health of our community and our planet."

The award will be used for future sustainability projects on campus.

GREEN NEWS BLIPS

• SMUD recognized Sac State for completing an energy efficient lighting project in Solano Hall for which the campus will receive an incentive of $15,000.
  
  
• Sac State was nominated for a SMUD Board Award for the energy efficient design of the American River Courtyard. The award will be presented on Thursday, July 15th at the SMUD Board meeting.
  
  
• The College of Natural Science and Math, working closely with ABA (Facilities Services) developed a National Science Foundation grant proposal and received an $800K grant to upgrade the Center for Interdisciplinary Molecular Biology, Education, Research and Advancement (CIMERA).
  
  
• Sac State received Honorable Mention from Breathe California for accomplishments in the Clean Air publication distributed at the 34th annual luncheon on May 26.