San Francisco Medical Office Earns LEED Platinum Recognition
08/21/2012
SustainableBusiness.com News
An oral surgery office in San Francisco is the first privately held medical/surgical facility to earn LEED Platinum certification for Commercial Interiors.
As a testament to the success of the project, it is worth pointing out that even though the new office for San Francisco Surgical Arts is twice the size of its existing office in Cupertino, California, the energy bills are one-third the amount.
“Our goal was to create a green practice to serve as an example for the healthcare community, showcasing the endless possibilities with today’s technology and sustainable building materials. We’ve invested heavily in cutting-edge technology to improve our patient outcomes, while reducing the impact on our environment and local community,” says Nima Massoomi, DMD, MEd, MD, and co-founder of San Francisco Surgical Arts. “Our new facility dispels the typical feel of a surgical office, making our patients and staff feel as if they’re visiting a spa.”
A major focus of the LEED project involved addressing the paper medical records, constant hand washing and energy intensive equipment that are traditionally associated with medical offices.
Here's how the company addressed those issues and earned its Platinum level recognition in the process:
Energy/Waste/Water efficiency
- Engineered a 37% reduction in power needed for lights through LED technology, occupancy sensors and lighting controls
- 90% of appliances are Energy Star-rated, including LED monitors and solar-powered keyboards
- Installed a 100% paperless records and administration systems
- Reduced water usage 40% through pressure assist toilets and automatic faucets
Sustainable Materials/Indoor Environmental Quality
- Post-consumer recycled content in steel framing, wall coverings, countertops and floor tiles
- An initiative to recycle and salvage more than 75% of the construction waste
- Furniture containing 97% recycled content
- “Green Cleaning Procedure” to minimize building occupant exposure to hazardous chemicals
- An oil-free medical suction system featuring integrated amalgam-separator to prevent mercury waste into the San Francisco Bay and Pacific Ocean
- Installation of a combination 2D / 3D medical CT imaging machine that has one of the lowest radiation profiles on the market
The project was spearheaded by Environmental Building Strategies (EBS), with design advice and services from The Kohan Group and All Phase Builders.
“By working with EBS to implement environmental features from the design phase, San Francisco Surgical Arts expects a strong return on investment from energy, water and waste savings,” says Matt Macko, founder and principal of EBS.
As of late July, the US Green Building Council (USGBC) surpassed 2 billion square feet certified under the LEED green building program. The program is certifying about 2 million square feet of commercial building space on a daily basis in more than 130 countries. In July alone, there were 300 projects certified, including a Commercial Interior project at Google's facility in Mumbai, India.
“In communities around the globe, leaders from every sector of the building industry are reinventing their local landscapes with buildings that enliven and bolster the health of our environment, communities and local economies,” says Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO & Founding Chair, USGBC. “The journey to this milestone has energized our economy–funneling $554 billion annually into the U.S. economy alone–and has helped support 7.9 million jobs across the US.”
Last month, 27 trade groups began pushing their own green building standard to compete with LEED. The move it notable, because it comes as agencies across the US federal government including the Department of Defense are getting into green building big time.
But this new Platinum recognition proves again, that buildings don't have to be big to be green.