The new 630,000 square feet 238-bed full-service community healthcare facility is one of the seven hospitals of its size in the US to achieve LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).
The U.S. Green Building Council LEED certification criteria include use of sustainable site, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor and environmental air quality and innovation in design. RMH received LEED certification points in all these areas.
The sustainable site includes minimising the building site’s impact on its environment, wildlife habitat, erosion and needs for transportation. The new RMH is sited on 254 acres of farmland with surrounding views of the Shenandoah mountains and Massanutten peak. The new hospital was built to take advantage of the natural beauty of the site and of the sun’s rays. During the winter months, the sun will assist in melting snow and ice in the visitor parking areas and walkways, reducing the need for melting agents and snow removal.
Patient rooms feature large windows to bring in natural light and feature picturesque views of the rolling hills and mountains. Corridors and stairwells have been designed with ample windows to encourage stairwell use and bring light into employees’ work areas.
RMH has created storm water runoff ponds and enhanced the existing wetland area to slow excess water and sediment runoff, both pre- and post-construction, reducing negative impacts to downstream watersheds. RMH has preserved the surrounding site as much as possible and created walking and biking trails to promote community fitness, recreation and alternative transportation routes for staff.
The facility conserves water through recycling water, reducing its use and returning it to the natural aquifers and other water sources. The new hospital is installed with reduced water flow toilets and low flow public restroom faucets, which will reduce the amount of water needed by 20% for these services.
By planting native and drought-tolerant plants, RMH has minimised the amount of water needed to maintain the landscape. The facility uses advanced energy systems designed to maximise energy efficiency and reduce costs. Part of this initiative is the innovative use of methane gas, a by-product of the county landfill, as one energy source for its boilers.
The new hospital has enough power generation capabilities to go off the electric grid during peak hours, earning savings around $400,000 annually and reducing the load on the local power cooperative.
During construction, RMH and its general contractor put a recycling program in place that recycled or diverted 80% of construction waste away from the local landfill. RMH selected paints, flooring adhesives, furnishing and cleaning supplies that produce few if any toxic fumes. The tobacco free environment in the campus further enhances interior air quality.
Nashville-based engineering and sustainable consulting firm Smith Seckman Reid (SSR), consulted on the new RMH facility. The facility has implemented some creative alternative energy management and sustainability strategies. The Shenandoah Valley Builders Association named RMH as the recipient of the SVBA 2009 Arbor Day Community Gift honouring its green building commitment.
