Boone Hospital Center building eco-friendly patient tower

A rendering of the BHC patient tower which is scheduled to be finished in spring 2011.

Boone Hospital Center’s new patient tower will go beyond helping patients — it will care for the environment, too.

BHC is integrating “green” project design, materials and policies into the construction of the tower with the intention of becoming one of the first hospitals in the area to meet LEED Green Building Rating System standards for environmental impact and quality. LEED, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council to provide standards for environmentally sustainable construction.

The building’s design was planned with the following goals in mind:

Increased Water Efficiency

Low water-use toilets and urinals will conserve water, while a 10,000-gallon underground water tank will capture rainwater to irrigate the intentionally drought-tolerant landscaping. Bio-swells (pond-like structures that capture pollutants) will filter and slow down runoff from the surface parking lots to keep oil and other contaminants out of creeks and rivers.

Increased Energy Efficiency

Energy-efficient light fixtures, enhanced refrigeration and a more efficient heating and cooling system will directly decrease energy usage, while solar panels (used for heating domestic water), a heat-absorbent roof and triple-glazed windows will help make the most out of naturally occurring warmth.
The roof will be white to reflect heat.
Rooms that are not occupied or accessed continually will have motion sensors to control lighting.

Reduced Air Pollution

When possible, materials for the project are being purchased near Columbia to limit transportation pollution. The building’s design also includes access for alternate transportation, including a bike station.

Reduced Paper Waste

When possible, paperless project submittals are done with construction management software to reduce paper use and improve communication.

Reduced On-Site Contaminants

The building’s external lighting is designed to reduce light pollution. Air quality filters, and finishes and adhesives that have low volatile organic compounds will be used inside.
Several existing practices at the hospital will also be considered in the LEED certification process, including the recycling program, the no-smoking policy and the proper disposal of hazardous waste

Overall Efficiency

BHC has hired a professional commissioning agent to ensure that the building’s mechanical systems operate efficiently.

Reinhardt Construction Co. of Centralia and S.M. Wilson & Co. of St. Louis are building the patient tower. The groundbreaking ceremony was held in May, and the construction is scheduled to be finished in spring 2011.

The nine-story tower will contain 128 private patient rooms (44 intensive care rooms and 84 medical/surgical rooms). The building will include a new admissions area, as well as an expansion of the hospital’s laboratory. There will also be an exterior garden, and a bridge will connect the structure to the new 940-space William Street parking garage.