Greenhill School First in Texas to Achieve USGBC LEED EB+OM Certification
Building Solutions announced that its project for Greenhill School is the first school in the southwestern U.S. to earn LEED® Certification for operations and maintenance, known as LEED EB+OM. The Phillip G. Foote Lower School, a 38,444 square foot building in Addison, Texas, is also only the third private school in the world to achieve LEED EB+OM Certification.
Under the guidance of Building Solutions, Greenhill achieved LEED Certified status by implementing practical and measurable strategies and solutions in its ongoing campus operations that achieve high performance in sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality.
“This is a particularly meaningful accomplishment because it required permanently altering daily routines that amount to lifestyle change—changes for the better, that reflect greater sensitivity to the natural environment, said Bill Keslar, president of Building Solutions. “Few schools have achieved this because it’s difficult, and requires a strong, steady commitment which Greenhill was willing to make.”
The financial impact of the changes was carefully measured during the four-year long project and calculated to result in a 20 percent return on Greenhill’s investment in the program. “The return will continue to increase as time goes on, especially in use of energy,” says Keslar. “This building also achieved an Energy Star rating (a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency program) in the course of the work, which sets it apart as one that is more efficient than 88 percent of school buildings in the nation.”
“Buildings are a prime example of how human systems integrate with natural systems,” said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO and Founding Chair, USGBC. “The Phillip G. Foote Lower School project at Greenhill School efficiently uses our natural resources and makes an immediate, positive impact on our planet, which will tremendously benefit future generations to come.”
While Greenhill is the only school, according to the U.S, Green Building Council (USGBC) public database, there are 24 buildings in Dallas that have achieved LEED EB+OM certification, almost all office buildings owned by major developers. In Dallas, less than half of those that are attempting certification have successfully achieved it, similar to the national average. Other forms of LEED certification are more common, with over 450 buildings in Dallas having achieved some form of LEED certification.