VCU’s Perkinson Building Receives Top Award for Going Green

By Jessica Ferreira
VCU Communications and Public Relations

The VCU School of Dentistry’s W. Baxter Perkinson, Jr. Building has been awarded the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Silver certification for its levels of energy efficiency and sustainability.

Leadership in Energy Environment Design (LEED) certification is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. New construction and major renovations being considered for certification are evaluated and allotted points based on seven key areas, including sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, innovation in design and regional priority.

The 55,000 square-foot Perkinson Building was completed last August by Commonwealth Architects, expanding the clinical, teaching and research facilities of Virginia's only dental school.

The building features light-colored roofing for 30 percent energy savings, low flow plumbing fixtures and low VOC—or volatile organic compounds to improve indoor air quality. During construction of the $20 million addition, more than 75 percent of waste was recycled and 180 tons of masonry from the demolition used as fill.

The Perkinson Building is the second structure at VCU to receive LEED certification. VCU’s Walter L. Rice Education Building at the VCU Rice Center earned LEED Platinum certification last April.

The LEED Green Building Rating System is designed to promote design and construction practices that increase profitability while reducing the negative environmental impacts of buildings and improving occupant health and well-being.

For more information on VCU’s efforts to become a green university, visit www.vcugoesgreen.vcu.edu.