MVCC Tinley campus is ‘platinum’
June 28, 2012 1:36PM
Moraine Valley Community College’s Southwest Education Center in Tinley Park has been designated a platinum LEED certified building. | Supplied Photo
Updated: August 2, 2012 6:04AM
Moraine Valley Community College’s Southwest Education Center in Tinley Park recently received platinum certification, the highest ranking possible, by the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.
“Several outside companies and groups were instrumental in making this ‘green’ building a reality, including the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation, village of Tinley Park, Legat Architects and the U.S. Green Building Council,” Moraine officials said in a statement.
The ICECF played a role in creating the center with a $225,000 grant to help fund the LEED design and geothermal element of the building. Moraine Valley worked through Bob Romo, ICECF senior program officer, to ensure the structure had the proper “green” features.
“We really appreciate everyone who helped our building attain platinum status,” said Andy Duren, the college’s executive vice president of administrative services. “This wouldn’t have been possible without support from the village of Tinley Park and the ICECF for the grant, among others.”
The center was open for classes in fall 2010 with several sustainable characteristics, including a geothermal system, which uses heat stored in the earth to regulate temperatures in the building; bioswales in the parking lot to lessen water runoff, the extensive use of daylight, which reduces the need for artificial light; low-flow plumbing fixtures, and a “green” roof that reduces heat when it’s warm and lessens cold in cooler months.
The college earned credit in all the LEED rating sections to become platinum. The rating system is based on the design, construction and operation of a building that reaches a high level of “green” performance.
The Southwest Education Center is the first LEED platinum building in Tinley Park and the second among Illinois community colleges.
Provided to the SouthtownStar
