“Thirty months ago we began with the idea of constructing our own green facility,” stated David Sessions, president of Willis A. Smith Construction. “This certification is another important step in designating this firm as (a) leader in sustainability and green building.”

Among the items noted in the achievement of a Gold rating were: a rain water harvesting system that serves toilets and urinals, resulting in zero potable water usage.; a cool roof system that helps the building stay cooler; the use of solar power generated from 60 photovoltaic panels located on the building’s roof, providing 13% of the building’s electricity needs; and the use of an insulated concrete forms system in the construction, which allows for little heat infiltration during the summer.