The Human Health Building (HHB) at Oakland University (OU) means more than just a location to teach future nurses and doctors the skills they’ll need for successful careers. According to Terry Stollsteimer, associate vice president of facilities management at Oakland University in Auburn Hills, Mich., the vision for the HHB from the start was to promote health in all aspects—especially occupant and building health. This vision of overall health education and a stimulus grant from the Department of Energy (DoE) served as the springboard to launch the project. The DoE funding was also the difference between LEED Gold and LEED Platinum. And when the project was completed in the fall of 2012, it became the first higher education building in Michigan to achieve the LEED-NC Platinum designation.
Earning LEED certification isn’t uncommon at OU, which boasts two buildings currently under construction that are targeting LEED Gold: the Engineering Center and a new student housing complex that will incorporate The Honors College and classrooms, a small cafe and gathering space. To achieve LEED Platinum with HBB, the designers at SmithGroupJJR needed to add a few extra enhancements. Of course, budget considerations came into play.