University of Vermont Medical Center Miller Inpatient Building Earns LEED Gold

The Miller Inpatient Building at University of Vermont Medical Center, located in Burlington, Vermont, has earned LEED Gold certification. The 162,000-square-foot inpatient bed tower uses 40% less energy than a comparable hospital facility. The design, construction and operations of the facility prioritize environmental sustainability.

Several strategies were implemented by the project team, which included E4H, Whiting-Turner, Neagley & Chase and sustainability consultants Thornton Tomasetti, to attain LEED Gold certification. Highlights are:

• The exterior glazing uses electrochromic glass, which adjusts tint to reduce solar gains improving thermal comfort and providing occupant control
• An active chilled beam system for energy-efficient heating and cooling
• 16% of the architectural and site materials come from a 500-mile radius of the building site
• 18% of architectural and site material was recycled content, such as denim insulation and lightweight concrete
• Over 90% of the wood used on the project is FSC certified
• 95% of the waste generated during construction was recycled
• Low-VOC paints, coatings, ceiling and flooring were used throughout