mmalvic's blog

When designing buildings in the modern era, to most people it is important to have different sustainable designs built in to the complex. The best way to show that your complex has effective sustainable technology is to gain LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). This group conducts certification surveys of building to determine how “green” a building is awarding bronze through platinum merits. The Cleveland Medical Mart and Convention Center (CMMCC) are pursuing a silver merit through LEED during the construction of this new complex in Cleveland. The plant life around the complex will help the surrounding environment as well as manage storm runoff. In the interior, the building will be outfitted with efficient lighting systems.

The plants and vegetation surrounding and on top of the CMMCC will have specific duties in managing the impact of the building to the environment. On the top of the build there will be constructed a “green roof.” This project will specifically help the building reduce energy cost as the plants selected to be on the roof will help keep the building insulated. Parts of the roof without the “green roof” are to be painted white as to reflect the sun away. The landscaping surround the CMMCC will feature drought-tolerance plants so they will not require heavy watering. Even the soil is specifically engineered as to filter the storm water runoff and prevent further contamination.

The light of the CMMCC was made a top priority to reduce the energy consumption of the complex. The Lakeside Avenue entrance and several other places such as the Grand Ballroom, and the Lake Erie Overlook will showcase giant windows to let natural light into the complex. The CMMCC is also attaching motion sensors to most lights so the will only be on when triggered by someone walking by. The lights itself are state-of-the-art LED lights that use minimum energy. The entire facility will be retrofitted with dimmers and light reduction systems to maximize the efficiency of the fixtures.

I am a real big supporter of buildings going after LEED certification and understand its importance. With the construction of the CMMCC, the investment in to these sustainable technologies in the long run can save the complex money and help the environment, a win-win situation. As long as the sustainable projects are within financial and practical reason, a building designer should go after them. It should be made a requirement that all new buildings being constructed should be able to pass at least the bronze certification. This movement could really show positive environment impacts.

Follow the link to see the progress of the CMMCC and its sustainable technologies.