Tech School Plans First LEED Building

ACWORTH, Ga. — The new $8.7 million health education center at North Metro Technical College will be the first green facility at a state technical college in Georgia.

The 56,000-square-foot facility, which will provide space for student training in healthcare and related fields, is earmarked to receive LEED gold certification upon its scheduled completion in fall 2008.

Designed by The Facility Group, of Atlanta , the center will utilize energy- and water-efficient technology, be built of environmentally friendly materials and include natural daylighting.

School officials hope the center’s commitment to sustainability will help strengthen the college’s environmental horticulture program, which they anticipate will be a major growth area in the future.

The building layout will include pedestrian-friendly landscapes and gathering areas to encourage student-faculty interaction and academic involvement, while interior spaces will be tailored to meet specific program needs.