Green and healthy: ASU Health Service Building awarded LEED platinum

The Health Service Building on Arizona State University's Tempe campus has earned a LEED platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

Health Service is the second ASU building to receive a platinum certification, which is the highest USGBC green building ranking under its LEED (Leadership in Excellence in Environmental Design) program. The Health Services Building is also the 38th ASU building to be LEED certified.

The Health Service Building underwent a major renovation and expansion that was completed in March 2012 by ASU's Facilities Development and Management unit.

“This dynamic project has enabled ASU both to provide an inviting health care environment for our students, and to embrace sustainable design and technologies,” said Bruce Jensen, interim associate vice president, Facilities Development and Management.

The building now features solar energy panels, recycled materials, and sustainable design and construction in both interior spaces and exterior landscaping. The Health Services Building earned points under seven sustainability categories that judged the building design.

"LEED criteria look at how well the building conserves energy, the building’s water efficiency, what kinds of construction materials were used and whether the building site enhances sustainability and indoor environmental quality, to name a few,” said Ken Taylor, the ASU project manager who managed construction.

Building waste was sorted carefully and diverted from landfills. Concrete from the old courtyard was sawn into blocks and repurposed into the landscaping. Bricks and recyclable materials from the building demolition were salvaged and used in other areas.

“I was thrilled to learn of the platinum rating for the building," said Dr. Allan Markus, director of ASU Health Services. “It’s the result of a team effort that reflects ASU’s collaborative culture and leadership on issues of clean energy and environmental sustainability.”

The project transformed the aging Health Service Building into a modern facility more suitable for use by the more than 60,000 students enrolled at the ASU Tempe campus. Structure space was added to the building for the first time since 1968, when Tempe campus student enrollment topped 23,000.

Okland Construction was the construction manager on the project, and design firms Lake Flato and Orcutt-Winslow were the architects. The project was financed through support of an ASU student health fee.

Eric Jensen, eric.jensen@asu.edu
ASU Facilities Development and Management