Ben Massell Dental Clinic Awarded Prestigious LEED® Gold Green Building Certification
ATLANTA – The Ben Massell Dental Clinic (BMDC), a program of Jewish Family & Career Services (JF&CS), has been awarded LEED® Gold certification, established by the U.S. Green Building Council and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI). The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification system is the nation’s pre-eminent program for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings.
“The building design emphasized the importance of minimizing maintenance expenses and operating costs by utilizing high-efficiency systems and building for maximum durability,” said Gary Miller, chief executive officer of JF&CS. “We anticipate that LEED certification will help us ensure an environmentally safe and healthy building with a functional lifespan of at least 30 to 40 years.”
The only resource for comprehensive, quality dental care available to indigent individuals and the working poor in metro Atlanta, the BMDC was founded in 1911. It moved into its current location, a 7,900 square foot state-of-the-art facility at 700 14th Street in Midtown that was designed by architect Ted Taylor, in August 2008. The building achieved LEED Gold certification for energy use, lighting, water and material use as well as incorporating a variety of other sustainable strategies.
While there are 900 LEED-certified buildings in Georgia, only 30 of them are health care facilities. Of those, the BMDC is the only nonprofit, volunteer-driven, free dental clinic.
By using less energy and water, LEED-certified building saves money for families, businesses and taxpayers; reduces greenhouse gas emissions; and contributes to a healthier environment for residents, workers and the larger community.
“Buildings are a prime example of how human systems integrate with natural systems,” said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO & founding chair of the U.S. Green Building Council. “The Ben Massell Dental Clinic efficiently uses our natural resources and makes an immediate, positive impact on our planet, which will benefit future generations tremendously.”
There are four levels of LEED Certification – platinum, gold, silver and certified. The BMDC received LEED Gold based on a number of green design and construction features that have a positive impact on the project itself and the broader community. The green features of the clinic include energy-efficient windows, lighting and HVAC mechanical systems. All wall and floor coverings are made of recyclable materials, mostly sourced from within 50 miles of the clinic to reduce transportation costs. Landscaping makes use of drought-tolerant plants, and there even is special parking for hybrid cars and bicycles.
Buildings in the United States are responsible for 39 percent of carbon dioxide emissions, 40 percent of energy consumption, 13 percent of water consumption and 15 percent of GDP per year, making green building a source of significant economic and environmental opportunity, according to the council. Greater building efficiency can meet 85 percent of future U.S. demand for energy, and a national commitment to green building has the potential to generate 2.5 million American jobs.
ABOUT JF&CS
Jewish Family & Career Services (JF&CS) is a nonprofit, nonsectarian organization that offers a variety of programs and services to people in metro Atlanta, providing tools for living to individuals and families of all ages and needs. Having provided social services to the greater Atlanta community for 120 years, JF&CS has grown to serve more than 30,000 individuals annually. The agency currently manages more than 40 programs without regard to age, race, religion, national origin or ability to pay. For more information, call 770.677.9300 or go to www.YourToolsForLiving.org. The main office is located at 4549 Chamblee Dunwoody Road in Atlanta.
U.S. Green Building Council
The Washington, D.C.-based U.S. Green Building Council is committed to a prosperous and sustainable future for our nation through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings.
With a community comprising 78 local affiliates, more than 20,000 member companies and organizations, and more than 100,000 LEED Accredited Professionals, USGBC is the driving force of an industry that is projected to soar to $60 billion by 2010. The USGBC leads an unlikely diverse constituency of builders, environmentalists, corporations, nonprofit organizations, elected officials, concerned citizens, teachers and students.
Buildings in the United States are responsible for 39 percent of carbon dioxide emissions, 40 percent of energy consumption, 13 percent water consumption and 15 percent of GDP per year, making green building a source of significant economic and environmental opportunity. Greater building efficiency can meet 85 percent of future U.S. demand for energy, and a national commitment to green building has the potential to generate 2.5 million American jobs.
LEED
The U.S. Green Building Council's LEED green building certification system is the foremost program for the design, construction and operation of green buildings. The U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED rating system is the preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of green buildings. 35,000 projects are currently participating in the LEED system, comprising over 5.6 billion square feet of construction space in all 50 states and 91 countries.
By using less energy, LEED-certified buildings save money for families, businesses and taxpayers; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and contribute to a healthier environment for residents, workers and the larger community.
USGBC was co-founded by current President and CEO Rick Fedrizzi, who spent 25 years as a Fortune 500 executive. Under his 15-year leadership, the organization has become the pre-eminent green building, membership, policy, standards, influential, education and research organization in the nation.
For more information, visit www.usgbc.org.