University of Illinois building earns LEED Gold

A health center on the University of Illinois at Chicago campus has obtained LEED Gold status, making it the third building at UIC to earn that distinction.

The new University of Illinois Hospital & Health Science System’s Mile Square Health Center is a five-story, 122,000-square-foot building that opened early this year. Moody-Nolan Architects was the architect.

Initially, the building was on track for LEED Silver, but changes – most notably in regards to energy efficiency – were made to achieve the higher status.

According to a press release from UIC, the center has the following features:

• Composite metal wall panels that envelop the building take advantage of daylight to warm and light the interior spaces.
• Energy-efficient lighting fixtures and control switches minimize the use of electricity.
• A 3,326-square-foot balcony on the third floor that is covered in a variety of plantings to serve as a partial green roof, helping to manage storm water.
• Light-colored permeable pavers in the building’s parking lot help prevent rain from entering the city’s combined sewer and storm water system and reduce the “heat-island effect” produced by dark-colored parking lots that absorb and emit heat.
• Energy-efficient air handling units, a gas-fired boiler, cooling and energy recovery systems, and high-quality air filters.
• Paints, adhesives and finishes with low levels of volatile organic compounds to improve air quality inside the building.
• Much of the construction materials were produced regionally or made from recycled materials, including structural steel, ceiling panels, drywall, carpet tiles and pavers.

Additionally, the center’s location near public transit and neighborhoods was considered in granting the higher status.