DesignDiscussion

Discussions and thoughts about the world of design from the lips of Megan Tower. Errgh, fingertips. Fingertips of Megan Tower.
Sun Dec 7
In 2001, the Wege Foundation donated a large gift of money to the Grand Rapids Art Museum. This was intended for use to build a new museum on a lot that was also recently gifted. However, in order to receive the monetary gift, three requirements had to be followed: the new museum must be built with architectural quality it must include an area where children can get into the arts had to be LEED certified. Hold up: what does it mean to be LEED certified? First of all, it’s important to know that LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. In the ten years that this has been implemented by the US Green Building Council, over 14,000 buildings in many countries have been built with their guidelines. LEED was created to accomplish some great feats. First off, it defined what a green building was and set up terms for a global definition. It promotes strong building practices and “green” competition. It shows who are environmental leaders in the architectural world and even transforms the world building market. What I think it does most of all: it inspires the public to think greenly as well. There is a rating system with LEED, which sounds kinda like bragging points to me. You get points designated to different “green” aspects and how many points you get gives you a rating. These ratings are “certified,” “silver,” “gold,” and “platinium.” Some of the credits are: Alternative Transportation: Public Transportation Access (be located 1/2 mile from commuter rail or subway or within 1/4 of two or more public or campus bus lines) Water Efficient Landscaping: No Potable Water Use or No Irrigation (use only captured rainwater, recycled wastewater, etc. or install landscaping that does not require a permanent irrigation system). Enhanced Refrigerant Management (do not use or select refrigerants that minimize or eliminate emission that leads to ozone depletion and global warming). Materials Reuse: 5% (use salvaged or reused materials such that the sum of the materials is at least 5%)Follow the rules, check off some credits and voila! Rated LEED building! Of course, they planned LEED into the new building and started in 2004 after more money had been raised. It was finished in 2007 and had it’s debut on October 5, 2007. National coverage followed, including reviews and recognition in big-name newspapers like the New York Times, interviews in Architecture Magazine, and even was named one of the six best buildings of the year by Newsweek. To top this tasty cake, icing came in early 2008 when the GRAM was named the first LEED gold certified art museum in the world. What a beautiful building with beautifully sound practices…also, what beautiful works inside! I didn’t imagine I’d get to see works by Motherwell, Degas, Lichenstein, Rauschemburg, Gaugin and Picasso on my trip to Grand Rapids of all places! (Had to throw that in)
In 2001, the Wege Foundation donated a large gift of money to the Grand Rapids Art Museum. This was intended for use to build a new museum on a lot that was also recently gifted. However, in order to receive the monetary gift, three requirements had to be followed:
  1. the new museum must be built with architectural quality
  2. it must include an area where children can get into the arts
  3. had to be LEED certified.
Hold up: what does it mean to be LEED certified?

First of all, it’s important to know that LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. In the ten years that this has been implemented by the US Green Building Council, over 14,000 buildings in many countries have been built with their guidelines.

LEED was created to accomplish some great feats. First off, it defined what a green building was and set up terms for a global definition. It promotes strong building practices and “green” competition. It shows who are environmental leaders in the architectural world and even transforms the world building market. What I think it does most of all: it inspires the public to think greenly as well.

There is a rating system with LEED, which sounds kinda like bragging points to me. You get points designated to different “green” aspects and how many points you get gives you a rating. These ratings are “certified,” “silver,” “gold,” and “platinium.”

Some of the credits are:
  • Alternative Transportation: Public Transportation Access (be located 1/2 mile from commuter rail or subway or within 1/4 of two or more public or campus bus lines)
  • Water Efficient Landscaping: No Potable Water Use or No Irrigation (use only captured rainwater, recycled wastewater, etc. or install landscaping that does not require a permanent irrigation system).
  • Enhanced Refrigerant Management (do not use or select refrigerants that minimize or eliminate emission that leads to ozone depletion and global warming).
  • Materials Reuse: 5% (use salvaged or reused materials such that the sum of the materials is at least 5%)

Follow the rules, check off some credits and voila! Rated LEED building!

Of course, they planned LEED into the new building and started in 2004 after more money had been raised. It was finished in 2007 and had it’s debut on October 5, 2007. National coverage followed, including reviews and recognition in big-name newspapers like the New York Times, interviews in Architecture Magazine, and even was named one of the six best buildings of the year by Newsweek.

To top this tasty cake, icing came in early 2008 when the GRAM was named the first LEED gold certified art museum in the world.

What a beautiful building with beautifully sound practices…also, what beautiful works inside! I didn’t imagine I’d get to see works by Motherwell, Degas, Lichenstein, Rauschemburg, Gaugin and Picasso on my trip to Grand Rapids of all places! (Had to throw that in)