Hocking College - a two-year technical college in Logan, Ohio - launched the Hocking College Energy Institute (HCEI) to offer training in advanced energy and fuel cells. HCEI reflects Hocking College’s commitment to participating in the new green economy. The 12,200-square-foot facility, which opened in September 2009, features green building design aspects and hands-on learning labs for students. Upon completion, HCEI received LEED® Platinum Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) - the highest level of certification allowed by USGBC. HCEI is the first educational building in the state of Ohio awarded this distinction.

SMBH’s goal was to provide as many sustainable elements as possible to obtain the LEED Platinum rating. To achieve this objective, the team used structural steel and concrete with high-recycled and regionally manufactured content, included a 4,000 square-foot green roof planted with native vegetation which reduces storm water runoff, and designed a framing system that achieved the design goals of providing natural light, outdoor views, and operable windows that provide natural ventilation during nice weather. The structure is also entirely exposed inside the building, so the design required close coordination with the design aesthetic of the building.

Other building elements that contributed to the LEED certification include: a 21.2 kW photo-voltaic array, which provides 15 percent of the building’s total electrical needs, a 2.4 kW wind generator which supplements the photo-voltaic array, a solar thermal hot water system that provides hot water for the building, and geothermal ground source heat pumps that provide heating and cooling for the building while using 30 percent less energy than conventional HVAC equipment.

Distinctions: First educational building in the state of Ohio to be awarded LEED Platinum.