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Education, engagement center attains three out of four possible Green Globes
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (July 15, 2010) – Heifer International’s Murphy Keller Education Center—generally known as Heifer Village—has attained a rating of three out of a possible four Green Globes for new construction by using the environment and rating assessment system administered by the Green Building Initiative (GBI.)
The 16,260-square-foot, one story building on the Heifer International campus at 1 World Avenue in downtown Little Rock, is one of a handful of buildings in the United States to earn the three Green Globes rating, which demonstrates attention to “energy and environmental design and a commitment to continuous improvement and industry leadership,” said Kevin Stover, technical expert of the GBI.
The GBI's third-party Green Globe’s system assess and certifies commercial buildings both for new construction and for existing buildings. Each building performs a self-assessment according to the environmental protocols utilized within both tools. Building certification is awarded between one and four Green Globes with four being the highest.
To achieve the three Globes rating, Heifer Village was built to use less energy and water than traditionally constructed buildings and in addition, a environmentally friendly materials were used in construction, interior design, landscaping and paving.
Heifer Village was built “green,” using recycled or recyclable materials, sourced from nearby to save fossil fuels, passive solar energy for heat and light, with a water-collection system that relieves pressure on the city storm sewer system.
In its ratings, Heifer Village received a number of strong accolades including project management, for develop0ment of the site (a former brownfield), for energy conservation, for water use, for using renewable resources, for pollution and runoff strategies, and for using natural lighting.
The Murphy-Keller Education Center was designed by architect Reese Rowland of Polk Stanley Rowland Curzon Porter Architects of Little Rock, who also designed Heifer’s headquarters. The building’s gentle curve emanates from an overall site master plan, conceived as concentric rings expanding outward from a central public commons.
“We are delighted to receive the three Green Globe rating from GBI,” said Erik Swindle, Heifer’s facilities director. “The Heifer International Campus will compliment Heifer’s world headquarters which earned a platinum LEED rating from the U.S. Green Building Council in (date).
“Heifer continues to demonstrate a commitment to the Earth in doing our part to reduce our hoofprint while at the same time protecting the ecosystem and environment by choosing to build green buildings. They reflect the deliberate choices we made about how and what we would build to serve the mission—to end hunger and poverty and care for the Earth—around the world.”
About Heifer International
Heifer’s mission is to end hunger and poverty while caring for the Earth. Since 1944, Heifer International has provided livestock and environmentally sound agricultural training to improve the lives of those who struggle daily for reliable sources of food and income. Heifer is currently working in 50 countries, including the U.S., to help families and communities become more self-reliant.
For more information, visit www.heifer.org or call 1-800-696-1918.
