Spartanburg Methodist College is pleased to report that their Edgar H. Ellis Hall has received official LEED certification.
LEED (which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a building certification process developed by the U.S. Green Building Council to enhance environmental awareness among architects and building contractors, and to encourage the design and construction of energy-efficient, water-conserving buildings that use sustainable or green resources and materials. According to the USGBC, there are nine key areas measured by LEED:
- Sustainable Sites
- Water Efficiency
- Energy and Atmosphere
- Materials and Resources
- Indoor Environmental Quality
- Location and Linkages
- Awareness and Education
- Innovation in Design
- Regional Priority
Constructed in 2012, the 48,000 sq. ft. building houses 9 academic classrooms, academic offices, including the English Department, the Humanities Department and Office of Academic Affairs, the writing center, student publications, the Sub Connection café venue, and the Gibbs auditorium which seats 275 and also serves as classroom space. The Ellis building was made possible by donors to the College’s “Pioneering the Future” capital campaign. The building is named in honor of Rev. Dr. Edgar H. Ellis, Jr., a United Methodist Minister, trustee, alumni (SJC class of 1956), and strong advocate of Spartanburg Methodist College.
Certification involves third party verification that a building is designed and built to achieve high performance in key areas in human and environmental health, including: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiencies, material selection and indoor environmental quality. The $11 Million building, designed by MPS and constructed by Harper Construction, is considered a 100-year building. Construction began in July of 2011 and was complete in November of 2012 with the building officially in use for the 2013 Spring semester.
SMC President Dr. Colleen Perry Keith recognized Eric McDonald, VP for Business Affairs, Rick Jolley, former Director of Facilities Management for SMC, and the team of architects and building contractors for their work in making certification possible, “we have a solid 45 points. A minimum of 40 is required for LEED certification. We could not have met this milestone without their dedication and commitment to our vision. Ellis Hall represents SMC’s pledge to provide an outstanding academic experience for our students; and affords us with an opportunity to host events for the entire Spartanburg community.”