WMU’s Heritage Hall Achieves LEED Platinum Certification

Western Michigan University’s faculty, staff and students gathered with LEED project crew members yesterday at Heritage Hall for a ribbon cutting ceremony and ice cream social to accept their LEED Platinum plaque.

Western Michigan University completed a historical rebuild of the beautiful Heritage Hall building, home of the Alumni Center on Prospect Hill.  Not only did they renovate a 110 year old building, they renovated it all while designing for LEED Platinum certification.

LEED Platinum is the highest status a project can achieve in the Leadership in Environment and Energy Design rating system.

Western recipients mounted their LEED Platinum plaque previous to the ceremony. A certificate for their LEED achievement was presented.

Pictured from left to right: Pete Strazdas – AVP Facilities Management (WMU), Bjorn Green – President & CEO (TowerPinkster), Cheri Holman – Executive Director (USGBC WM), John M. Dunn – President (WMU), Renee Pearl – Director of Engagement (WMU), and Jason Novotny – Director of Design (TowerPinkster).

The original construction of Heritage Hall was completed in 1905 at 34,000 square feet. The facility was renovated and made its official debut as Heritage Hall in October of 2015. The building nearly doubled in size totaling 53,000 square feet and features a large ballroom for events.

The WMU team made their energy efficiency mark on Heritage Hall by implementing geothermal heating and cooling from 56 geothermal wells which provide 50% greater efficiency than traditional sources. They incorporated LED lighting, low energy windows, low-flush toilets and new insulation. The renovations transformed one of the least efficient buildings on campus into one of most efficient buildings.

The LEED project was accomplished with a collaborative effort from Western Michigan University, TowerPinkster, The Christman Company and others.

Western has a total of 16 LEED certified buildings with 6 underway, setting themselves on track to house 22 LEED buildings across campus.

Written by: Rebecca Holman, USGBC WM Communications Director