Nurse Station – Photo credit: Timberline Construction
Worcester, MA – JACAArchitects recently received certification for their first LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) project, the Family Health Center of Worcester in Worcester, Mass.
LEED is a green building certification program that recognizes best-in-class building strategies and practices. To receive LEED certification, building projects satisfy prerequisites and earn points to achieve different levels of certification.
This project consisted of the renovation of 29,180 square feet of occupied and shell space over three floors. The design covered multiple departments including a new 16-exam Family Medicine Suite (using the Patient-Centered Medical Home Model) and a new Optical Department with Optical Shop. In addition, both the Retail Pharmacy and the Dental Suite were expanded and updated.
This project earned 43 points and received LEED Certified status under the 2009 Commercial Interiors rating system, which requires earning between 40 and 49 points. The existing 1960 building is located in a dense commercial and residential neighborhood with good access to public transportation, which contributed 12 sustainable site points. The remaining points were obtained by selecting environmental products and finishes; optimizing the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing design; managing construction waste; and purchasing used furniture. An additional Innovation Credit was awarded for designing the space for active occupants by encouraging the use of stairs for both patients and staff and by providing ways for the staff to exercise during the day.
Construction on the $3.4-million-project began in April 2013 and was completed by May 2014. The project was built by Timberline Construction; Susie Festel served as JACA’s project manager.
“This is a great accomplishment for us and a reflection of the care and attention we put into our healthcare designs,” said Anthony Cavallaro, president of JACA Architects. “Creating environments that are healthier for their occupants and better for the planet is something that we support, and we hope that this is the first of many LEED certifications our projects earn in the future.”
