The new fieldhouse addition at the Homewood-Flossmoor High School North Building has earned a LEED gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.
LEED, or Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design, is a green building certification program that recognizes best-in-class building strategies and practices that consider design, construction, operations and maintenance of resource-efficient, high-performing, healthy, cost-effective buildings.
To receive LEED certification, building projects satisfy prerequisites and earn points to achieve different levels of certification, according to the council, a diverse group that shares a vision of a sustainable-built environment for all within the next generation.
The gold certification was presented to H-F under the LEED for Schools Rating System. Gold is the second highest level of LEED certification currently offered. The fieldhouse renovation was designed by Itasca’s DLA Architects and managed by Nicholas & Associates of Mt. Prospect.
According to the council, “LEED certification identifies the Homewood-Flossmoor District 233 fieldhouse addition as a showcase example of sustainable design and demonstrates [the district’s] leadership in transforming the building industry.”
The project included refurbishing the student cafeteria and gymnasium, transforming the building’s main entrance into an accessible two-story atrium and rebuilding and expanding the fieldhouse to allow for additional and more convenient programming for students.
To attain the LEED gold-level certification, the renovation featured several green components, including high-efficiency lighting, daylight harvesting, carefully designed mechanical systems, occupancy sensors and dedicated parking spaces for low-emissions vehicles.
The fieldhouse, opened in May 2014, is an active building featuring four full-sized basketball/volleyball courts and an indoor track. The building has separate spaces for wrestling, dance, cheerleading, fitness and athletic-training programs.
It also includes an indoor turf field used year-round by several of the school’s athletic teams, its marching band and community sports groups, including Homewood and Flossmoor Baseball & Softball and the H-F Soccer Club.