The T building, which was completed in 2015, has officially reached LEED Gold. This is a huge milestone Bellevue College and a globally recognized sustainability achievement! Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED) is worldwide green building rating system that focuses on creating environmentally friendly buildings. Certified LEED buildings are sustainable, as they save energy, resources, and water. The buildings also contribute less waste and support human health. LEED has four levels of achievement: Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. New Washington State buildings are required to be a minimum of LEED silver, but the T building got scored LEED Gold!
What makes the T Building so green?
The T Building has innovative features that not only are beneficial to the environment but to the students and facility members as well. Here are a few of the features, but there are many more!
Feel free to reach out to sustainability@bellevuecollege.edu if you have any questions. We will also run a LEED building tour during Earth Week (April 16-20, 2018).
Earth Tubes
This system moderates the temperature of incoming outside air, which reduces energy consumption. During the hot summers, the Earth Tubes are able to provide up to nine degrees of free cooling!
Green Roof
The T building roof for the most part covered by a vegetated roof, which helps decrease storm water and even lessens the impact of storm events.
Water Use Reduction
The toilets and urinals save over 40% of water than conventional fixtures!
Porous Pavement
The sidewalks surrounding the T building are made out of porous concrete, meaning stormwater can easily flow to the earth so that it can be infiltrated into the ground.
Last Updated January 10, 2018