Belmont University’s Milton and Denice Johnson Center was recently celebrated at the 2017 IMPACT Tennessee: Build Green, Be Well conference, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Tennessee’s first statewide conference. The Johnson Center received the Innovative Design, New Construction award for its use of new technologies and strategies that surpass expectations of a green design and meet project challenges with innovation.
In response to the award, Belmont President Dr. Bob Fisher said, “Belmont is always honored to be recognized for our commitment to our Conservation Covenant – ‘And God saw everything that He had made, and, behold, it was very good.’ Genesis 1:31. We want to be partners in creating a thriving and environmentally sustainable world.”
USGBC aims to “transform the way buildings and communities are designed, built and operated, enabling an environmentally and socially responsible, healthy and prosperous environment that improves the quality of life.” USGBC spearheads the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification program, which provides a framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building strategies. A selections committee representing Middle Tennessee, East Tennessee and West Tennessee reviewed the recent LEED projects in the region and identified recognized those that exceeded the LEED standard. These LEED-certified spaces use less energy, reduce carbon emissions and contribute to a healthier environment for residents, workers and the larger community.
According to Fisher, “The Milton and Denice Johnson Center is a great example of that effort with 120 geothermal wells for heating and cooling, an extensive green roof, a composting system for cafeteria waste and numerous other features that resulted in this building being certified as LEED Gold.”
Pictured (l-r) in the top photo are Darrell Lambert (ESa), Hannah Walter (Smith Seckman Reid, SSR), Alan Sparkman (USGBC Tennessee Market Leadership Advisory Board Chair), Judy Fisher, Belmont President Dr. Bob Fisher. Photo credit: Peter J. Meadows.
