Georgia Southern University Receives Georgia Peach Green Building Award

Georgia Southern University was granted the Georgia Peach Green Building Award by the Georgia State Financing and Investment Commission (GSFIC) for the new Biological Sciences Building, which meets requirements of the Georgia Peach Green Building Rating System. “Georgia Southern University is excited to have received the Peach Certification for the Biological Sciences Building,” said Bonnie McMakin, project architect for Facilities Planning, Design and Construction. “This building is the first of this magnitude and the goals were to make it as sustainable and environmentally-sensitive as it was economically-feasible. Over the years sustainable practices have been incorporated into the buildings and campus infrastructure that are environmentally-sensitive and ‘green’ features. This project is the accumulation of these practices, and together they have made the project a success by incorporating so many of these features into the project.” The “Peach Certification” was established in 2008 by the Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Construction Act of 2008. Buildings that optimize energy performance, increase the use of Georgia-produced materials and products, protect the state’s natural resources and reduce the burden on the state’s water supply receive points toward the award. The Biological Sciences Building was constructed using 60.3 percent of Georgia-based materials, and by using low-flow faucets, sinks and toilets, the building uses 40 percent less water than it would with standard fixtures. Additionally, with the use of 57 Solar Photovoltaic Panels, five Solar Thermal panels to produce hot water for the building and other energy efficient products, the building’s total energy usage is 20.5 percent less than with normal usage of electricity. “To be recognized by the GSFIC and the Board of Regents for incorporating these sustainable features is an honor that Georgia Southern is proud to receive,” McMakin said. “The Peach Certification has become a standard for our projects as we move forward with new buildings, renovations and maintenance of the existing buildings on campus.” Georgia Southern University, a Carnegie Doctoral/Research University founded in 1906, offers 125 degree programs serving more than 20,500 students. Through eight colleges, the University offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs built on more than a century of academic achievement.  Georgia Southern is recognized for its student-centered approach to education. Visit:www.georgiasouthern.edu.