Boston Hospitals Go Green
Brigham And Women's, MGH Build Green Facilities
POSTED: 12:28 pm EST November 18,
2008
UPDATED: 5:51 pm EST November 18,
2008
Email
Print
BOSTON -- The medical community has been a leader in health care for decades, and now Boston-area hospitals are leaders in the green building movement.
Hospitals Going Green NewsCenter 5's David Brown reported that the new green buildings are good for the environment and great for patients.The 136-bed Shapiro Cardiovascular Center at Brigham and Women's Hospital is the first green medical building in the Longwood area. It will be LEED certified, which means the design focuses on energy conservation and the use of environmentally-friendly construction."Every piece of equipment that was selected and purchased for this building had a high environmental rating. All of the light fixtures chosen similarly met that requirement," said Joe O'Farrell, the project manager for the Shapiro Center.The building features renewable rubber flooring covers, 75 percent of the building gets sunlight, windows reflect sunlight on hot days and hold onto the sun's heat during the winter. The mechanicals are the highest in energy efficiency, and water used in purification is stored and used for irrigation.Another building at Massachusetts General Hospital is also green. The new facility will meet tough environmental standards while maintaining a focus on energy efficiency."Because it is a 24 hour environment it is reducing the demand. And then we add on to that the kinds of architectural and engineering components to manage that demand," said John Messervy, of Partners Healthcare.Floors at the Massachusetts General Hospital building are also made from recycled rubber and sustainable bamboo walls are used throughout.Even the older buildings at the hospital are using 30 percent less energy. And a 7,000-square foot rooftop garden helps reduce the urban heat island effect while offering a peaceful retreat for patients.The Green Build International Expo, showcasing the latest in green building technology, is being held in Boston this week. About 50,000 people are expected to attend.
Hospitals Going Green NewsCenter 5's David Brown reported that the new green buildings are good for the environment and great for patients.The 136-bed Shapiro Cardiovascular Center at Brigham and Women's Hospital is the first green medical building in the Longwood area. It will be LEED certified, which means the design focuses on energy conservation and the use of environmentally-friendly construction."Every piece of equipment that was selected and purchased for this building had a high environmental rating. All of the light fixtures chosen similarly met that requirement," said Joe O'Farrell, the project manager for the Shapiro Center.The building features renewable rubber flooring covers, 75 percent of the building gets sunlight, windows reflect sunlight on hot days and hold onto the sun's heat during the winter. The mechanicals are the highest in energy efficiency, and water used in purification is stored and used for irrigation.Another building at Massachusetts General Hospital is also green. The new facility will meet tough environmental standards while maintaining a focus on energy efficiency."Because it is a 24 hour environment it is reducing the demand. And then we add on to that the kinds of architectural and engineering components to manage that demand," said John Messervy, of Partners Healthcare.Floors at the Massachusetts General Hospital building are also made from recycled rubber and sustainable bamboo walls are used throughout.Even the older buildings at the hospital are using 30 percent less energy. And a 7,000-square foot rooftop garden helps reduce the urban heat island effect while offering a peaceful retreat for patients.The Green Build International Expo, showcasing the latest in green building technology, is being held in Boston this week. About 50,000 people are expected to attend. Copyright 2008 by TheBostonChannel.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
