By Emily McMason
When Saint Martin’s announced the plans for their new, 26,000 square foot-plus building it was with dual intention: to build an engineering program that stands upon the foundation of its past, and to house it in a state of the art facility. To do so meant carrying forward the name of Cebula Hall, more than doubling the size of the previous structure, and designing a building that meets the criteria of LEED platinum standards.
What is LEED?
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification was developed by the US Green Building Counsel and was formally launched in 1998. The objective of LEED is to honor construction that meets green building standards. As it emphasizes on its website “LEED-certified buildings are designed to: lower operating costs and increase asset value; reduce waste sent to landfills; conserve energy and water; be healthier and safer for occupants; reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions; qualify for tax rebates, zoning allowances and other incentives in hundreds of cities.”
There are four levels: certification, silver, gold and platinum. Ratings are based on how many points (out of 110) a building rates based on the following categories: Sustainable Sites; Water Efficiency; Energy and Atmosphere; Materials and Resources; and Indoor Environmental Quality.
For Saint Martin’s to obtain LEED platinum standards, it has meant incredible dedication in the entire building process, from planning to completion, concept to finishing details. And pay attention they have. The building, according to School of Engineering Dean Zella Kahn-Jetter “may possibly be one of the highest Platinum LEED buildings. We’re hoping. Our certification is still in progress. We got all of our design points, now we’re awaiting final documentation for the building points.”
More than a physical space
As Saint Martin’s University President Dr. Roy Heynderickx has previously commented in a press release, creating this new space “is about building on our foundation of excellence, growing a program that prepares students to be high-quality engineers who think and work with heart. With the foundation of a Benedictine education, our graduates enter the engineering field prepared to contribute to their communities.”
Dr. Zella Kahn-Jetter adds, “We can’t even compare this to what we had before. There is an opportunity to grow, not just our undergraduate and graduate programs, but at the professional and community levels as well. We want to make a name here, a showcase. And this is it.”
At the ground breaking Kahn-Jetter explained, “The decision to pursue Platinum LEED certification is in keeping with the Benedictine value of stewardship. It is our responsibility to be respectful and resourceful in our commitment to protecting the environment and appreciate the beauty of our natural surroundings.”
Come and See
The history of the The Hal and Inge Marcus School of Engineering has been a rich one. Saint Martin’s is the only school in the South Sound to offer both graduate and undergraduate engineering programs, and since it’s inception more than 1,300 students have earned civil and mechanical engineering degrees. With the completion and opening of the new Cebula Hall, the program is poised to educate students far into the future.
So come and see what’s in the new building. Some of the energy efficiency efforts can be seen in the structure itself. There are solar panels, radiant flooring, and a green roof.
For Kahn-Jetter, the building is appealing no matter what hat she is wearing- personally, as an educator, and as the dean. “It is full of light, comfortable and bright. And because of the LEED focus, we are able to integrate sustainability into the curriculum. It shows our students what we can do as people and as engineers, it highlights our responsibility as engineers to be stewards of the environment.”
The building’s official dedication is set for April 22, 2013. Says Kahn-Jetter “The dedication is happening on Earth Day, which couldn’t be more appropriate given our focus on our community and environment in the construction of this building.”
For more information on the Hal and Inge Marcus School of Engineering and Cebula Hall, visit http://www.stmartin.edu/engineering/.
