HOUGHTON -- In 2009, MTEC SmartZone received grant money from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) for the renovation and redesign of Michigan Tech's Lakeshore Center. MTEC SmartZone, the first floor tenant of the building, worked closely with U.P. Engineers and Architects to ensure the 2010 building renovation was as "green" as possible, based on a contingency for the grant monies.
MTEC SmartZone CEO Marilyn Clark proudly announces that these efforts earned the Lakeshore Center LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. LEED is a specific rating system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council to provide building owners with a framework for identifying and implementing measurable green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions.
"Lakeshore Center is a beautiful facility to work and spend time in. We have great views, natural light, and clean air to breathe. This designation makes us even more proud of our fourth business incubation facility," says Marilyn Clark.
Project architect, Karin Cooper of U.P. Engineers and Architects, is a LEED Accredited Professional and led the renovation project toward LEED certification. Through the process she worked with a project team of contractors and Michigan Technological University to assure the building's sustainable design.
Lakeshore Center was scored on six different categories: sustainable site, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, and innovation and design process. Efforts to use more than 18 percent recycled materials for the project helped secure the LEED certification. In addition, MTEC SmartZone built a shower facility for tenants and a bike rack to encourage alternative transportation.
This certification is unique and only a handful of buildings in the Western Upper Peninsula are LEED Certified. For more information on LEED Certification, please call Karin Cooper, AIA, LEED AP at (906) 482-9799.
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