From the University of Florida
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UF's football complex receives highest green building certification
 
May 20, 2009
Writer: Katie Privett
Sources: Bahar Armaghani, 352-273-4034, 352-275-6488 (cell),
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Carol Walker, 352-273-4000, [log in to unmask]

GAINESVILLE, Fla. --- The recent addition to the University of Florida's
Ben Hill Griffin Stadium has just been ranked as one of the most
environmentally friendly buildings in the U.S.

The Heavener Football Complex has received platinum certification from
the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building
Rating System, the highest ranking available. It is the first building
in Florida and the first athletic facility in the nation to achieve
platinum status. There are only 130 platinum buildings in the US and 141
worldwide. 

LEED certification is based on site/location planning, energy use, water
management, materials used, indoor environmental quality and innovation
in the design process. The Heavener Complex earned the required 52 out
of 69 possible points to receive a platinum rating. 

The $28 million complex includes offices, conference rooms, an atrium
with trophies from the team's national championships, and
weight-training facilities.  The facility's energy-saving features
exceed state and national standards requirements by 35 percent and
include low-e glazing on glass, insulation and reflective materials,
which make the heating and air conditioning systems more efficient. It
also contains energy-efficient lighting and light sensors that allow
individual lighting preferences and turn off automatically when the room
is empty. The facility also has a system for analyzing future energy
use. Light-colored roofing and concrete pavement on the plaza keep
temperatures lower in and around the building.

The building reduced 40 percent of indoor water use with its low-flow
fixtures, dual-flush toilets and water-saving shower heads. One hundred
percent of its irrigation is reclaimed water, and native plants combined
with nonevaporating sprinklers allow the landscaping to use 50 percent
less water. The green roof of the weight room near Gate 18 conserves
energy and insulates as well by containing storm water for its plant
life, rather than directing it to the sewer system. 

Bahar Armaghani, assistant director of the LEED program at UF, said
green buildings are not exclusively concerned with saving money through
more efficient technology. They are also investments for the well-being
of the people and environment. 

"When we build a building, we are not just building for today but for
the future," she said. 

Most of the building's raw materials came from within 500 miles to
stimulate the local economy and reduce transport emissions.
Additionally, much of the building's raw material is recyclable, and 78
percent of the construction debris recycled. 

Carol Walker, assistant vice president of the UF Facilities, Planning
and Construction Division, said, "UF is committed to providing a healthy
building and environment for the people who utilize the facility.
Long-term sustainability, responsible use of environmental resources,
and a healthy and productive work environment are all important." 

The Heavener Complex has low volatile organic compound levels and carbon
dioxide monitors in high-occupancy rooms, which bring in more fresh air
if they detect high carbon dioxide levels. It also has Sanidoors, which
open touch-free automatically, to reduce building users' exposure to
germs. 

According to Walker, the facility's construction process has exposed her
division to new technology and material which has only become available
recently. The application of those new methods has raised the
expectations for other on-campus building projects to a minimum of gold
LEED certification. 
	
Armaghani was project manager. The contractor was PPI Construction
Management and the engineers were Moses & Associates, Brown & Cullen and
SEG. The architect was RDG Planning and Design, and the Commissioning
Agents was TLC Engineers. 

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