Tacoma Community College's Harned Center earns LEED Gold Certification

Tacoma Community College officials recently announced the H. C. Joe Harned Center for Health Careers building has been awarded Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certification for New Construction, which recognizes the design, construction, and operation of high performance “green” buildings.

The 69,700-square-foot H. C. Joe Harned Center for Health Careers opened in 2014 (see “Tacoma Community College celebrates Harned Center for Health Careers grand opening,” Tacoma Daily Index, Sept. 4, 2014; and “TCC Harned Center for Health Careers grand opening Sept. 4,” Tacoma Daily Index, Aug. 7, 2014) and provides state-of-the-art housing and equipment for Tacoma Community College’s Health Careers Programs, including Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Emergency Medical Care, Health Information Technology, Human Services, Nursing, Radiologic Services, and Respiratory Therapy. The center is named after H.C. “Joe” Harned, a college benefactor who recently contributed the single largest donation in TCC’s history (see “TCC receives its largest private gift,” Tacoma Daily Index, Oct. 6, 2010; and “TCC: Major donation announcement Oct. 6,” Tacoma Daily Index, Sept. 27, 2010).

The Harned Center’s sustainable design features and practices include a geothermal heating and cooling system that aims to significantly reduce the energy required to heat and cool the building, thereby greatly reducing greenhouse gas emissions; a heat recovery system that further reduces energy consumption; and designs that surpass current building codes for energy efficient lighting and insulation, such as the use of local and recycled materials, water conservation fixtures, ENERGY STAR® appliances, energy-efficient mechanical systems and occupancy sensors, and native and drought-tolerant landscaping.

“We are tremendously proud of this achievement,” said Tacoma Community College President Dr. Sheila Ruhland. “Not only does the Harned Center educate and train students to successfully enter the health care field, it is now a model of environmental sustainability and a leader with green building. Many thanks to our team who worked for several years to make this achievement happen. Earning LEED certification for this beautiful building reflects our commitment to reducing our energy footprint. This aligns perfectly with our mission and in keeping our community healthy and vibrant.”

The ratings system was established by the U.S. Green Building Council, and the Harned Center for Health Careers LEED Gold Certification was verified by the Green Building Certification Institute, according to Tacoma Community College officials. LEED aims to promote a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human environmental health: sustainable site development; water efficiency; energy efficiency; materials selection; and indoor environmental quality. There are several types of certifications, but two primary ones for commercial facilities – New Construction and Existing Buildings.

This is the second LEED Gold Certification Tacoma Community College has received. In 2009, the Annette B. Weyerhaeuser Early Learning Center was awarded LEED Gold Certification for New Construction.

The H. C. Joe Harned Center for Health Careers building on the Tacoma Community College campus. (PHOTO COURTESY TACOMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE)

To read the Tacoma Daily Index‘s complete and comprehensive coverage of Tacoma Community College’s H.C. “Joe” Harned Center for Health Careers, click on the following links: