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GH Phipps Construction Companies Completes Newly Awarded LEED Gold Certified Science & Engineering Building for the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs
Greenwood Village, Colo., — September 10, 2009 — GH Phipps Construction celebrated the completion and dedication of the new UCCS Science and Engineering Building earlier this month and was thrilled to learn the building achieved Gold LEEDTM Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) for achieving a high level of sustainable, green building attributes.
The Science and Engineering Building was constructed by GH Phipps and houses the departments of biology, physics, mechanical and aerospace engineering as well as the CU Institute for Bioenergetics and the National Institute for Science, Space and Security Centers. The building features classrooms, offices, laboratories and an interactive K-12 Center to promote science to young people.
The five-story, 160,000 square-foot building features a modern reflective roof, solar energy panels, windows that mitigate indoor temperature fluctuations, energy-efficient lighting with occupancy sensors, water saving fixtures, and extensive use of low-chemical paints, adhesives, sealant, carpet and wood products. Each laboratory required different ventilation systems and wall thicknesses.
"The tremendous success of this project is attributable to a collaborative approach which was instrumental in helping UCCS achieve their vision for a LEEDTM certified, high-technology science and engineering learning center," said Charlie Graft, CEO of GH Phipps Construction Companies. "We are honored to have been a part of a project that positively impacts southern Colorado. Congratulations to Chancellor Pam Shockley-Zalabak, Vice Chancellor Brian Burnett and AR7 Architects," said Graft.
The LEED Green Building Rating System is a third-party certification program administered by the U.S. Green Building Council, a Washington D.C.-based, nonprofit coalition of building industry leaders and the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings. The LEED rating system offers four certification levels for new construction -- Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum -- that correspond to the number of credits accrued in five green design categories: sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources and indoor environmental quality.
GH Phipps is committed to sustainable building and has 27 accredited professionals on staff. LEED Accredited Professionals (LEED APs) have demonstrated a thorough understanding of green building practices and principles and the LEED Rating System.
GH Phipps has undertaken LEED initiatives for the following projects:
- Boulder Community Foothills Hospital (Silver LEED™ Certification)
- Colorado College Russell T. Tutt Science Building (Silver LEED™ Certification)
- Colorado Springs Utility Lab (Silver LEED™ Certification)
- University of Denver – Nagel Hall (pending LEED™ Gold Certification)
- University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, Science and Engineering Building (LEED™ Gold Certification)
- University of Colorado at Boulder, Ekeley Science Building (pending LEED ™ Gold Certification)
- Colorado State University, Research Innovation Center Lab Facility (pending LEED™ Gold Certification)
About GH Phipps Construction Companies
GH Phipps is an employee-owned full service Construction Manager/General Contractor. Revenues over $280 million make GH Phipps one of Colorado's largest contractors and one of the nation's top 400 contractors since 1985. Corporate headquarters are located in Greenwood Village, Colorado with branch offices in Colorado Springs, Colorado; Fort Collins/Loveland, Colorado; and Cheyenne, Wyoming.