Ames Family Hospice House Awarded LEED Gold Certification

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Western Reserve’s Ames Family Hospice House has been awarded LEED Gold certification. The 40,000-square-foot patient care center achieved LEED Gold for energy use, lighting, water and material use, as well as incorporating a variety of other sustainable strategies.

Hospice of the Western Reserve consulted with Hospice Design Resource, PLLC on the project. Vocon Partners, LLC is the architect of record. Donley’s Construction as the general contractor.

Opened in July 2012, Ames Family Hospice House reflects the nonprofit agency’s commitment to improving human and environmental health. More than 70 percent of the site is green space. The natural creek running through the property was left undisturbed and all of the lawns and gardens are chemical-free. A tree planting program ensures that the wood lot remains diverse and healthy. A rain garden was installed to mitigate stormwater runoff. Special parking for eco-friendly vehicles and bike racks encourage the use of alternative transportation.

LEED certification of Ames Family Hospice House was based on a number of green design and construction features that positively impact the project itself and the broader community. These features include:

• Only wood certified as sourced from responsible providers was used
• Low-VOC paint, carpet and furnishings ensure indoor healthy air quality
• Water-efficient fixtures reduce projected water use by 28 percent
• Interior courtyards and walls of windows bring in ample natural light
• Motion and photosensitive light fixtures respond only when needed
• High-efficiency climate control systems are zoned for the occupants’ comfort
• 75 percent of construction debris was diverted by repurposing or recycling

In 2012, the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste Management District provided a grant to Hospice of the Western Reserve for the purchase of recycling containers for Ames Family Hospice House, as well as expert advice on signage and education.

The award of $1,989.66 was used to purchase 39 recycling containers, including internal receptacles for the built-in recycling centers, mixed-use material containers for public areas and mixed use and paper-only containers for staff areas. The grant ensured that recycle containers were in place when the first patient arrived at the facility. Recycling remains an integral part of work processes not only at Ames Family Hospice House, but at all of the nonprofit agency’s offices and facilities across its six-county service area in Northern Ohio.