Benefits to Clients ― Health and Education

The environment in which students are taught, people are treated, and discovery is practiced reveals much about an institution’s principles. In building the School of Nursing and Student Community Center, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston demonstrated a commitment to teaching by example.

Under the leadership of John Porretto, then Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, the university showed that sustainable strategies, integrated design and long-range thinking ― like those advocated by VerdeCapitalResources, LLC ― can lead to facilities that:

The University of Texas School of Nursing and Community Center

Minimize Environmental Impact

Endure for at least 100 years, facilitating adaptive reuse.
Incorporate natural opportunities presented by the physical site.
Extol the indigenous environment by landscaping exterior spaces with plants and trees that are natural to the Houston area and that require minimal care, chemicals and water.
Use 67 percent recycled and reclaimed materials.
Reduce transportation-related pollution by using the majority of building materials from local sources within 500 miles of the site.
Reduce total water use by 63 percent through multiple water reduction strategies.
Replace 51 percent of the Portland cement used in concrete with fly ash, the waste by-product from the combustion of coal for electricity generation. Not only did that reduce carbon dioxide emissions from production of cement, but the reformulated concrete was also stronger and cured faster, strengthening the building and saving construction time.
Achieve LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) gold certification.

Save Operation and Maintenance Costs

Incorporate systems that ensure efficient use of resources and drive recycling.
Take advantage of renewable energy sources.
Use life-cycle costing, balancing initial capital costs ― no more than 104 percent of the cost of a conventionally constructed building ― with operation costs.
Realize savings in annual purchased utilities costs of 60 percent less than comparable buildings on the campus.

Promote Health and Well-Being

Focus on non-toxic materials, including avoidance of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) because of its health risks. PVC is traditionally used in a wide range of products from plumbing to furniture.
Maximize perlite ceiling tile where possible, because perlite is a natural substance that does not outgas, as many conventional ceiling materials do.
Partner with companies that use only proven state-of-the-art equipment and materials.
Provide the highest possible personal control of the workplace ― operable windows, task lighting and heating-ventilation-air-conditioning controls.
Uplift the spirit of dwellers with interior spaces that capitalize on daylighting, radiate simple elegance, reflect timeless design, and are welcoming and comfortable.