The Murchie Science Building Expansion project is certified LEED Silver
Flint, MI: The University of Michigan-Flint announced this week that it has been awarded LEED Silver status for its Murchie Science Building Expansion. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), is the most widely used green building rating system in the world and an international symbol of excellence. Through design, construction and operations practices that improve environmental and human health, LEED-certified buildings are helping to make the world more sustainable.
“Having the opportunity to develop a LEED-certified building is a giant step forward for the Flint campus,” explains Ryan Craven, UM-Flint architect.
“We have had long-standing commitments to reducing energy consumption and emissions, as well as transitioning to more sustainable maintenance methods,” Craven added. “The decision to incorporate these same principles at a larger scale through construction and continued operations was an easy choice, and one that will set a foundation for design and construction moving forward.”
The MSB Expansion achieved LEED certification through sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality. This sustainable space is home to UM-Flint’s College of Innovation & Technology (CIT), which utilizes its flexible classrooms and state-of-the-art equipment to provide a cutting-edge education for students.
CIT Dean Christopher Pearson explains that the design of the MSB Expansion reflects UM-Flint’s forward-thinking academic approach.
“Having LEED-certified spaces for students to learn and grow in goes hand-in-hand with the programs and curriculum offered through the College of Innovation & Technology” Pearson said.
“Considering our new program in Sustainability & Energy Technology, this type of sustainable design is at the core of the curriculum,” he added. “The LEED certification helps showcase our entire campus’ focus on the importance of sustainability, proving that we do more than just teach about it; we put it into practice.”
LEED certification is proof that buildings are going above and beyond to ensure the space is constructed and operated to the highest level of sustainability.
Campus expansion will continue with the Innovation and Technology Center, a space that will serve the UM-Flint community as a nexus for technology, education, and industry partnership.
About UM-Flint: Part of the world-renowned University of Michigan, UM-Flint is a regional comprehensive university located in the heart of Flint, MI. UM-Flint is a vibrant and diverse learning community consistently recognized for academic distinction and superb value. With flexible, personalized coursework enhanced by hands-on, engaged learning opportunities, UM-Flint students graduate ready to lead and succeed in all situations. For more information, visit umflint.edu.
About the U.S. Green Building Council: The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is committed to a healthy, resilient, and equitable future for all through the development of green buildings, cities and communities. For more than 20 years, USGBC has been advancing green building practices through the development of LEED, the world’s most widely used green building program. With the support of thousands of members, volunteers and partners, USGBC provides robust green building education courses, a rigorous professional credentialing program and advocates for effective public policies. It convenes an international network of green building and sustainability leaders through the annual Greenbuild International Conference & Expo, and forward-thinking programs, including the Center for Green Schools. For more information, visit usgbc.org.
