a newer, greener hospital
Brent Finnegan -- December 6th, 2006
I might be the only person I know that cares about this, but I think it’s pretty cool that the new RMH is slated to become the first hospital in Virginia to meet the standards of the US Green Building Council. And, unless I’m mistaken, this would be the first “green building” in H’burg/Rockingham County (if you know of another, please enlighten us).
The basic idea is that the builders use as many energy-saving techniques and recycled building materials as possible. From Wikipedia:
Green building is the practice of increasing the efficiency with which buildings and their sites use and harvest energy, water, and materials, and reducing building impacts on human health and the environment, through better siting, design, construction, operation, maintenance, and removal — the complete building life cycle.
The US Green Building Council is not actually a government agency, but a “coalition of leaders from every sector of the building industry.” Apparently RMH is aiming for a certificate from the USGBC.
The construction process began in June, and according to the director of the project, Dennis Coffman, a webcam will soon be up at the RMH website to monitor the construction process through November 2009. I assume that the webcam would go here. If not, I’ll post a direct link if/when I see it.
-finnegan
Thanks for posting the link to the RMH New Hospital site. The site masterplan pdf is very informative:
http://www.rmhonline.org/DestinationHealth/PDF/SITEmap.pdf
This is great news!
There are a number of “green” houses in the area built by individual landowners. I know Dr. Wayne Teel built a straw bail house, and the owners of Radical Roots Community Farm are building their own home – and happen to be running a business that is based on sustainable land management and benefits us with fresh, locally grown food. http://radicalroots.com
OK, clarification: Wayne’s house isn’t built out of straw. It has thick walls filled with straw which acts as a natural temperature moderator (never needs conventional heat or air conditioning). The rest of the home’s materials are also environmentally friendly. And bail is spelled bale, not bail. It’s a little late.
As an employee of RMH I am very happy we are making such improvements. Those that are planning the building of the new hospital are listening to our suggestions all the time. It’s been a good process so far. cheers