The new Baylor Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center at Dallas is no longer just recognized for its advanced approach to fighting cancer. It is now being recognized for an advanced approach to sustaining the environment. On Nov. 7, the Baylor Sammons Cancer Center was awarded the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Core and Shell 2.0 (LEED CS 2.0) Gold Certification–an environmental certification few projects of its size and scope can claim.
The Baylor Sammons Cancer Center–which opened in March–is 14 percent more energy efficient than energy code minimums require, and 30 percent more efficient in its water usage than code minimums. Additionally, 70 percent of the building energy usage is carbon offset.
The goal of building a LEED CS 2.0-certified facility was set in 2005, before the first architectural rendering was even mocked up, according to Ian Sinnett, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, senior project manager for Perkins+Will, the firm tasked with designing Baylor Sammons Cancer Center.
“Building a green hospital wasn’t just a business decision, it was a matter of social responsibility,” says Sinnett. “It took meticulous planning from the very beginning to develop a facility of this size that is not only environmentally friendly, but that is bottom-line friendly as well.” Sinnett says that despite the extra environmental considerations, the project finished early and under budget.
LEED CS 2.0 certification is a national recognition given by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) based on 61 criteria. Gold certification indicates a building has met at least 34 of the criteria. The Baylor Sammons Cancer Center achieved 38.
“There are two phases of the LEED certification process: the design phase and construction phase,” explains Sinnett. The design was submitted to the USGBC before ground was broken, and met 21 of the criteria, which includes: having a reflective roof to reduce the heat island effect; reduced water runoff to reduce water pollution; and being in close proximity to a DART rail station to promote mass transit and community connectivity.
The additional 17 points came during the construction phase, which was lead by MEDCO Construction L.L.C. who served as the general contractor on the project. All materials used in the building–51 percent of which were regional materials that came from within 500 miles of the construction site–were reviewed by the USGBC for their composition and environmental impact. For example, the building materials contained a reduced amount of volatile organic compounds, which are known carcinogens. In addition, 96 percent of the construction waste was recycled, keeping more than 14 million pounds of garbage out of landfills.
“This is one of the largest health care projects in the region to be LEED Gold-certified,” says Sinnett. “That means that for years to come, the cancer center is not just going to be helping patients get healthy, but it will also help keep our environment healthy as well.”
About Perkins+Will
Established in 1935, Perkins+Will (www.perkinswill.com) is an integrated design firm serving clients from offices in Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Dubai, Houston, London, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, Orlando, Philadelphia, Research Triangle Park, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Shanghai, Toronto, Vancouver, and Washington, DC. The firm practices architecture, interiors, branded environments, planning + strategies and urban design for clients in the aviation + transit, corporate + commercial + civic, healthcare, higher education, K-12 education, science + technology and sports + recreation markets. Perkins+Will routinely ranks among the world’s top design firms and has received hundreds of awards, including the prestigious American Institute of Architects’ “Firm of the Year Award.” Social responsibility has been a driving philosophy at Perkins+Will since the firm’s beginnings in 1935. The firm has committed to the 1% Solution through Public Architecture, promising to donate time pro bono to non-profit organizations in need of design services. With more LEED® Accredited Professionals than any firm in North America, Perkins+Will are recognized as the preeminent sustainable design firm in the country. Perkins+Will was the first multi-office company to commit to the 2030 Challenge, in which the firm has pledged that all of our projects be designed for carbon neutrality by the year 2030.
About MEDCO
MEDCO Construction L.L.C. (MEDCO) is a construction general contractor providing preconstruction and construction services primarily to the health care market. Founded in 1964 as the Construction Division of Baylor Health Care System, MEDCO quickly grew in size and scope. MEDCO provides full-service construction to not only Baylor Health Care System but also other heath care entities as well as institutional clients such as churches and higher education.
MEDCO’s constant focus on safety receives recognition from Industry Associations and most recently with the achievement of working a million labor hours without a lost time accident. In addition, MEDCO has received numerous project awards and routinely ranks in the Top 25 General Contractors in the Dallas – Fort Worth metroplex.
MEDCO was founded on values that promote a partnership and enrich the construction process for all stakeholders.
About Baylor Scott & White Health
As the largest not-for-profit health system in the state of Texas, Baylor Scott & White is empowering customers to live well by reimagining traditional healthcare — creating more convenient, personalized and informed experiences. It serves more than three million customers through 53 hospitals, including flagship academic medical centers in Dallas, Fort Worth and Temple; the Baylor Scott & White Research Institute; 1,300+ access points; 59,000+ team members; and its leading digital platform — MyBSWHealth. The system's award-winning employer solutions include Baylor Scott & White Health Plan, Baylor Scott & White Quality Alliance and Levanto — a company offering digitally enabled health products. Founded as a Christian ministry of healing more than a century ago, Baylor Scott & White's mission is to promote the health and well-being of all individuals, families and communities. For more information, visit: BSWHealth.com