Group Health’s new Puyallup Medical Center is the first project in North America to receive top environmental honours in a new LEED category for medical buildings.

The medical facility in Puyallup, Wash., achieved gold certification under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Healthcare (LEED-HC) rating system. LEED-HC was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council to reward the highest performing and healthiest medical buildings.

Local materials, as well as those with high recycled content, were the preferred choice for construction of the project. Design elements minimized the use of artificial light to optimize the building’s energy performance. The green roof allows for a reduction in stormwater discharge and insulation, improves energy efficiency, and provides a connection to nature.

Trees cleared for the building site were reclaimed in the form of site benches, interior finishes and a two-story wall panelling that dominates the central lobby. The new facility also includes car charging stations and bike racks.

The combination of low maintenance materials and energy-efficient building systems will lower the building’s operation costs.

The Puyallup Medical Center achieved LEED-HC by employing resources developed and implemented by Group Health’s facility manager, CBRE Ltd., and supported through collaborative efforts of O’Brien & Co. (LEED consulting firm), CollinsWoerman (architect), GLY Construction (builder) and the Benaroya Co. (developer).