Group Health Puyallup Medical Center First to Earn LEED-HC Certification

The Group Health Puyallup Medical Center, a newly opened 53,000-square-foot, two-story medical facility in Puyallup, Wash., is the first project in the country to achieve certification under the new Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Healthcare rating system. LEED-HC was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council to reward the highest-performing and healthiest medical buildings.

The project team included O’Brien & Company, CollinsWoerman, GLY and The Benaroya Company. A mockup of the building was fabricated in a 40,000-square-foot warehouse, so modifications could be fashioned before breaking ground. The team reviewed more than 200 materials and products for sustainability, quality, performance and low-maintenance, and offered analysis on credit options.

CollinsWoerman’s project design addressed LEED credits by prioritizing energy efficiency, specifying low-emitting and sustainable materials, minimizing impact caused by production and transportation and providing a high level of indoor air quality. Local materials, as well as those with high-recycled content, were the preferred choice for construction. Design elements minimized the use of artificial light, optimizing energy performance. Additionally, the green roof allows for reduction in stormwater discharge, insulation, energy efficiency and connection to nature. The addition of car-charging stations and bike racks were indispensable in the final design strategy.

The GLY Construction team paid stringent attention to jobsite recycling and waste management during construction, and performed a thorough lifecycle energy analysis to select systems that optimized maintenance and performance. In addition, specialized mechanical and electrical infrastructure was part of the team’s LEED strategy to maximize energy efficiency for use in adjustable space. The use of recycled and sustainable materials also played a significant role. Trees cleared for the building site were reclaimed for the project in the form of site benches, interior finishes and two-story wall paneling that dominates the central lobby, adding to the character and beauty of the facility.

Images courtesy of Sozinho Imagery