More Eco-Friendly

Green Design

The South Pavilion was built with green design in mind. This means NCH has incorporated into the South Pavilion’s design many construction and operating practices that are environmentally responsible, addressing matters like water and energy efficiency, conservation of materials and resources, and indoor environmental quality.

The hospital’s goal is to earn environmentally friendly Silver Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council and LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).

Included among the many sustainable initiatives are:

• Site development: Open space has been maximized by keeping 40 percent of the project area open or covered by a green vegetated roof.
• Heat island minimization: The green roof, combined with a highly reflective white membrane roofing, reduces the “heat island effect.” That’s a phenomenon where heat from buildings is radiated back into the surrounding environment, increasing cooling loads in buildings and creating a detrimental environment for plants, animals and people.
• Water use reduction: The use of low-flow fixtures reduces the use of potable water by 20 percent to 30 percent.
• Energy performance: Energy-consuming systems in the South Pavilion are designed to be energy efficient and comply with the ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2004 energy code.
• Cooling-system refrigerant management: Cooling systems and fire suppression equipment do not contain CFCs or HCFCs, ozone depleting refrigerants, or Halons.
• Regional materials: Materials manufactured and extracted within a 500-mile radius of the hospital have been used wherever possible. This reduced the energy required to get materials and products to the site, and also supports local and regional economies.
• Indoor air quality: The building systems have been designed to comply with indoor air quality standards and monitors will be installed to maintain proper ventilation. Air quality will be preserved by specifying paints, coatings, carpets, and other products with no or low VOC content. Air filters on ventilation systems and properly designed entry vestibules minimize the infiltration of particulates and pollutants.