Sustainable Somerset - Going Green
High Performance Public Buildings - Green Building Design
Raritan Valley Community College's West Building features high
performance attributes such as natural daylighting and views, occupant control of temperature in individual classrooms, and preservation of campus open space by its siting nearby to other major campus facilities.
The Somerset County Business Partnership recognized the need for sustainability for business, government and communities. As a result, the following projects were initiated:
- Green Buildings Toolkit
- Funding Green Sustainable Somerset
Each has produced a body of knowledge that promotes environmentally sound new construction and embraces the latest technologies and best practices in the promotion of energy audits and return on investment for the improvement of our living and work spaces.
The following documents can be downloaded and viewed:
- Executive Summary
- Somerset County High Performance Buildings Program Toolkit
- Green Buildings Design Taskgroup Report
- Somerset County High Performance Public Buildings Program Policy and Implementation Model
- Somerset County High Peformance Public Buildings Program Requirements
- PNC Bank Case Study
- Willow School Case Study
Somerset County is a leading advocate with New Jersey for sustainable, "High Performance" design in the construction of all new public facilities. They have developed a detailed guide for implementing sustainable building systems, The Somerset County High Performance Public Buildings Program, which is the first of its kind in the state.
The program focuses on design to reduce energy costs and produce the best possible indoor environment for occupants, thereby maximizing taxpayer investment in public facilities and the workforce within them. Led by the Somerset County Business Partnership and the New Jersey Institute of Technology, and developed by a team of local businesses, government and non-profit professionals, the program provides clear direction for the development of buildings that minimally impact our environment.
In addition to a checklist of sustainable design features to consider in planning for the new Somerset County public facilities, the program offers a point system based on the United States Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program. It also provides a "toolkit" for use by municipal engineers and code officials in the implementation of such programs.
