Loyola has fully commited to use environmentally friendly technology for its upcoming renovations and construction.
According to Vice President of Academic Affairs Edward Kvet’s recent convocation remarks, Loyola has committed to obtaining Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certifications for all major constrcution projects on campus. LEED is a rating system created by the U.S. Green Building Council.
According to the U.S. Green Building Council’s website, the LEED 2009 Green Building Rating System for new construction and major renovations is a set of performance standards for certifying the design and construction of commercial or institutional buildings and high-rise residential buildings of all sizes, both public and private.
The intent is to promote healthful, durable, affordable and environmentally sound practices in building design and construction.
The certification is based on seven topics which include water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, indoor environmental quality and innovation in design. Depending on how many points each topic got determined what level of certification the overall project received.
The certifications are awarded on a scale from 1-80 points. Certified is 40-49 points, silver is 50-59 points, gold is 60-79 points and platinum is 80 points and above.
“Basic LEED certification is the minimum acceptable level we have set for ourselves. We may reach silver on some projects, but that can only be determined at completion,” said Charles Marshall, director of Facilities Systems at Physical Plant.
Loyola professor and eminent scholar chair in environmental communications, Robert A. Thomas said they will be happy to see the best insulation possible, with the most efficient air conditioning, most efficient lighting systems, and exterior lighting utilizations. The Rev. Kevin Wildes, S.J., has committed to getting these LEED certifications, said Marshall. Wildes said he decided to make this commitment for two reasons.
“First, it seems to me to be the right thing to do as we all work to make decisions that are supportive of the environment. Second, I also think that doing LEED certification makes budgetary sense, in the long run, in that it will lead (no pun intended) buildings that give us great control of our energy use,” Wildes said.
“Green technologies generally add to the initial project expense, but many pay for themselves in a relatively short period of time through reduced energy costs,” Marshall said. Decisions are balanced between green responsibility and economic attainability, said Thomas.
All of the major projects currently under construction are scheduled to be completed in 2011. The first to be completed should be the West Road garage, which should finish up next month, said Marshall.
Yvonne Cappel-Vickery can be reached at
