Barre, Mass. — Barre Family Health Center, designed by the Boston office of HDR Architecture, Inc., not only provides quality healthcare to the residents of Central Massachusetts, but environmental care as well. The 19,800-square-foot facility, designed for UMass Memorial Health Care, has recently been LEED Certified by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The facility is one of a few healthcare projects to become LEED certified in the U.S. and the only healthcare project to do so in Massachusetts.

“UMass Memorial recognized the importance of green design in concept, as well as in its practical application to healthcare facilities,” said Don Warner, principal of HDR’s Boston office. “While it valued the environmental and energy efficiency benefits implicit in LEED Certification, it also wanted to send a positive message to patients and staff regarding the importance of a healthy working environment.”

Warner said the ‘payback’ to the client of ‘going green’ came earlier than expected. “The residents of Barre and its surrounding towns, communities long associated with the outdoors and nature, embraced the green vision of the facility and showed their enthusiasm by generously supporting the project through a very successful fundraising effort,” he said.

The $6.6 million, single level health center demonstrates the priority set by UMass Memorial to provide the highest quality of comprehensive care. Besides the emphasis on quality care in a patient-friendly setting, the new building incorporates environmentally friendly design features ranging from water conservation and energy efficiencies to air quality and material use. The result is a one-of-a-kind health center that is unmatched in the region. Key sustainable design features of the Barre Family Health Center include:

Site Features

• Stormwater run-off from the roof and pavement is minimized and treated to protect environmentally sensitive wetlands on the site. The treatment system removes almost double the percentage of phosphorus required to qualify for LEED credits.
• Reduced pollution from vehicle use is encouraged by providing bicycle parking and showers for staff and priority parking spaces for hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles.
• Exterior lighting is designed to minimize light pollution, reducing or eliminating both “sky glow” and visible glare from neighboring properties.

Water and Energy Efficiency

• Total energy use in the building is 17 percent lower than the level set by national engineering guidelines. The building exceeds the requirements of the Massachusetts energy code, one of the strictest in the country.
• Plumbing fixtures in the building have been designed to consume 29 percent less water than required by the Energy Policy Act.
• No potable water is used for irrigation or landscaping.
• The building’s air conditioning equipment has been selected to avoid the use of refrigerants that deplete the ozone layer or contribute to global warming.

Indoor Environmental Quality

• § An indoor air quality plan was in effect throughout construction of the project to provide adequate ventilation to protect workers from particulates and fumes. In addition, a two-week “flush-out” period was provided prior to occupancy, to rid the building of remaining indoor pollutants.
• Adhesives, paints, sealants, carpeting, and wood products such as plywood and particle board have been selected to meet the strictest standards for emission of volatile organic compounds or other potential contributors to indoor air pollution.
• Operable windows are provided throughout the building to allow natural ventilation and individual control of the environment during mild weather.

Building Materials

• To minimize energy use and pollutants associated with transporting materials to the job site, over 50 percent of the building materials used on the project were manufactured regionally.
• 11.6 percent of the building materials used on the project (by dollar value) were recycled materials. Some of the major items include the use of recycled steel, fiberboard panels incorporating recycled wood fiber, ceiling tiles, flooring and insulation fabricated from recycled materials.
• An extensive program has been implemented to recycle construction and demolition waste from the project. Close to 90 percent of materials removed from the site will be recycled.

“We were very pleased that UMass Memorial made such a strong commitment to sustainable design for this project,” said Warner. “Sustainable design and healthcare are complementary in their contributions to improving public health. Green buildings provide a healthier indoor environment and minimize negative impacts on the surrounding community. It’s really the most appropriate way to build a health center.”

The facility has also earned “Advanced Buildings” recognition by National Grid, the local electric utility company, for superior energy efficiency, responsible use of energy resources and supporting the well being of building occupants. The facility is the first medical building qualifying for National Grid’s Advanced Building Program.