Brookwood Building earns LEED-Silver certification

The Colonial Center at Brookwood in Homewood, Ala., was recently awarded with a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver Certification.

Brookwood, a $27 million mixed-use office building project, was awarded with a LEED-Silver rating by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Buildings that earn a LEED Certification go through a rigorous grading process from the preconstruction phase to its final inspection by a consultant from the USGBC.

Brookwood earned 27 credits to be officially called a LEED-Silver facility. The building was awarded credits for several environmentally friendly features including reducing jobsite construction waste by 50 percent, using an increased level of recycled materials and resources for the building and using low-emitting adhesives and sealants on the project.

Brasfield & Gorrie also developed and monitored a special Indoor Air Quality program during the construction phase. The building is only one of five facilities in the state to be LEED Silver.

NAWIC – Greater Birmingham Chapter raises over $1,400 for Camp Smile-A-Mile

The National Association of Women in Construction’s Greater Birmingham Chapter collected over $1,400 during its December “Camp for Christmas” campaign, which will help send five children to Camp Smile-A-Mile in 2009.

The check was presented to Stephanie Wilkins, Camp Smile-A-Mile community relations manager, by NAWIC President Ginger Thompson, Gary C. Wyatt General Contractor LLC, and member Jenny Wilson, Associated Builders & Contractors of Alabama.

Camp Smile-A-Mile is a non-profit organization in Alabama for children who have or have had cancer. Year-round programs are provided for the campers and their family at no cost.

4-H Environmental Science Education Center gets LEED Gold

The Alabama 4-H Environmental Science Education Center, designed by Davis Architects, has been awarded Gold-level certification as a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) project by the U.S. Green Building Council.

The $5 million 4-H Center, situated on Lay Lake near Columbiana, Ala., is the first 4-H facility in the United States to attain LEED Gold certification. The innovative 4-H Center, which sets new standards for energy efficiency and environmental responsibility, celebrated its grand opening in November 2007.

The two-story, 17,400-sq-ft 4-H Environmental Science Education Center was built by B. L. Harbert International, general contractor.

The new center features facilities not previously available at 4-H, including two large laboratory/classrooms and a shared lab prep area that directly supports the Coosa River Science School.

Both laboratories offer direct access to the outdoors so children can explore outside and come inside to laboratories fully equipped with technical and audiovisual support.

Displays focusing on both lake and land habitats are featured in the corridors and lobby adjacent to the lab areas.

In addition, a large multi-function room seats up to 400 and three seminar rooms is available for classes, meetings and conferences.