The U.S. Green Building Council awarded the Joliet Junior College (JJC) Facility Services Building a LEED New Construction 2009 Gold certification – making the Facility Services Building the first of its kind on a higher education campus to receive this level of certification.
Designed by Legat Architects and built by Gilbane, the Facility Services Building’s new mechanical and electrical systems resulted in a 42% reduction in energy use and an annual savings of approximately 37% in operating costs.
Gilbane oversaw the procurement, installation and commissioning of all the LEED systems, working with contractors to ensure that they used LEED-compliant materials and submitting the documentation for all of the LEED construction-related points. The team also worked with JJC to lead a significant construction waste recycling effort.
Sustainable elements of the building include:
- Geothermal HVAC system to reduce heating and cooling loads
- Reflective roof surface to reduce heat gain
- Solar heat collectors tied to outside air intake to minimize the amount of energy used to heat the inside of the building
- Use of LED lighting in all areas of the building
- Motion sensors for lighting in occupied spaces
- Operable, high-efficiency windows to improve ventilation and bring in fresh air
- More than 75% of construction waste diverted from landfills
- Use of recycled and locally sourced materials during construction
- Low-VOC paints, adhesives, and sealants used in all spaces of the building
JJC’s Facility Services Building is part of a $220 million master plan aimed at transforming the college’s approach to sustainability and efficiency. The 42,500-square-foot facility replaces several scattered temporary buildings that previously housed the custodial, maintenance, planning/construction and roads/grounds staff at JJC. BD+C
Related Stories
Office Buildings | Mar 21, 2024
Corporate carbon reduction pledges will have big impact on office market
Corporate carbon reduction commitments will have a significant impact on office leasing over the next few years. Businesses that have pledged to reduce their organization’s impact on climate change must ensure their next lease allows them to show material progress on their goals, according to a report by JLL.
Adaptive Reuse | Mar 21, 2024
Massachusetts launches program to spur office-to-residential conversions statewide
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey recently launched a program to help cities across the state identify underused office buildings that are best suited for residential conversions.
Legislation | Mar 21, 2024
Bill would mandate solar panels on public buildings in New York City
A recently introduced bill in the New York City Council would mandate solar panel installations on the roofs of all city-owned buildings. The legislation would require 100 MW of solar photovoltaic systems be installed on public buildings by the end of 2025.
Office Buildings | Mar 21, 2024
BOMA updates floor measurement standard for office buildings
The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International has released its latest floor measurement standard for office buildings, BOMA 2024 for Office Buildings – ANSI/BOMA Z65.1-2024.
Healthcare Facilities | Mar 18, 2024
A modular construction solution to the mental healthcare crisis
Maria Ionescu, Senior Medical Planner, Stantec, shares a tested solution for the overburdened emergency department: Modular hub-and-spoke design.
Codes and Standards | Mar 18, 2024
New urban stormwater policies treat rainwater as a resource
U.S. cities are revamping how they handle stormwater to reduce flooding and capture rainfall and recharge aquifers. New policies reflect a change in mindset from treating stormwater as a nuisance to be quickly diverted away to capturing it as a resource.
Plumbing | Mar 18, 2024
EPA to revise criteria for WaterSense faucets and faucet accessories
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plans to revise its criteria for faucets and faucet accessories to earn the WaterSense label. The specification launched in 2007; since then, most faucets now sold in the U.S. meet or exceed the current WaterSense maximum flow rate of 1.5 gallons per minute (gpm).
MFPRO+ New Projects | Mar 18, 2024
Luxury apartments in New York restore and renovate a century-old residential building
COOKFOX Architects has completed a luxury apartment building at 378 West End Avenue in New York City. The project restored and renovated the original residence built in 1915, while extending a new structure east on West 78th Street.
Multifamily Housing | Mar 18, 2024
YWCA building in Boston’s Back Bay converted into 210 affordable rental apartments
Renovation of YWCA at 140 Clarendon Street will serve 111 previously unhoused families and individuals.
Healthcare Facilities | Mar 17, 2024
5 criteria to optimize medical office design
Healthcare designers need to consider privacy, separate areas for practitioners, natural light, outdoor spaces, and thoughtful selection of materials for medical office buildings.
