Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas is on track to becoming the first hospital in the world to achieve Platinum Status under the Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) program sponsored by the U.S. Green Building Council.
What Is "Green" Building?
"Green building" is a term used to describe design and construction practices that significantly reduce or eliminate the negative impact of buildings on the environment and building occupants. Dell Children’s incorporates building practices in each of the five categories necessary to be termed "green building."
Sustainable Site
- 47,000 tons of Mueller airport runway material was reused on the site
- About 40% fly ash instead of Portland cement in the concrete mix yields a drop in carbon dioxide emissions equivalent to taking 450 cars off the road
- Courtyards provide light to interior spaces; courtyard air intakes provide cooler air than rooftop intakes for air conditioning
- 92% of construction waste was recycled on site
Water Efficiency and Water Conservation
- Reclaimed water is used for irrigation, xeriscaped landscaping uses native plants which require less water
- Low –flow plumbing fixtures
Energy Efficiency and Energy Conservation
- Efficiency measure save enough power to fuel about 1800 homes
- An on-site natural gas turbine supplies all electricity, 75%more efficient than coal-fired plants: links to the municipal grid and an emergency generator provides backup
- Converted steam energy from a heating/cooling plant supplies all chilled water needs
- Under-floor air distribution in non-clinical, non-patient areas requires less fan power than above-ceiling ducts
- Parking lot trees and reflective surface pavement and roof materials reduce the heat-island effect
Indoor Environmental Quality and Lighting
- Most interior spaces are within 32 feet of a window
- Motion and natural light sensors shut off unneeded lights
Conservation of Materials and Resources
- Use of local and regional materials saves fuel for shipping
- Special paints and flooring emit low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOC’s).
In addition, Seton Family of Hospitals has partnered with the City of Austin and Austin Energy to build a District Energy Plant on the hospital site, which provides high quality, reliable power, as well as chilled water and steam. The District Energy Plant will also have the capability to provide chilled water to other areas on the Robert Mueller Municipal Airport site.
