BUILDING GREEN HOSPITALS CHECKLIST

1. Choose an Environmentally Friendly Site

· Avoid farmland, wetlands, flood plains, environmentally sensitive lands, and hazardous substance sites.

· Rehabilitate vacant areas as necessary.

· Share existing parking/transportation infrastructure.

· Minimize heat island (thermal gradient differences between developed and undeveloped areas).

· Take advantage of existing transit, water, and energy infrastructure in the community.

· Preserve local habitat, greenfields, and natural resources.

2. Design for Sustainability and Efficiency

Building

· Prioritize parks, greenways, and bikeways throughout the new hospital area. Plan sufficient shade.

· Investigate incentives available from the U.S. Department of Energy.

· Consider (re)use of existing buildings, including structure, shell, etc.

· Identify opportunities to incorporate recycled materials into the building, such as beams and posts, flooring, paneling, bricks, doors, frames, cabinetry, furniture, trim, etc.

· Provide suitable means of securing bicycles with convenient change/shower facilities for those who cycle to work.

· Design for durability-life cycle costing/value engineering strategy for finishes and systems to reduce waste.

· Maximize day lighting and view opportunities (building orientation, exterior/interior shading devices, high-performance glazing, photo-integrated light sensors, shallow floor plates, increased building perimeter, etc.).

· Designate an area for recyclable collection and storage that is appropriate and convenient with consideration given to using cardboard balers, aluminum can crushers, recycling chutes, and other waste management technologies to enhance recycling program.

· Consider the installation of an on-site compost vessel.

· Design for adaptability of building design as user needs change.

· Establish a project goal for locally sourced materials and identify materials and material suppliers that can help achieve this goal; this reduces environmental impact due to transportation and supports the local economy.

· Provide capacity for indoor air quality monitoring to sustain long-term occupant health and comfort (carbon dioxide sensors integrated into building automation system).

Energy

· Orient building to take advantage of solar energy for heating and day lighting, and to encourage natural ventilation and passive cooling.

· Consider heat recovery systems where appropriate.

· Use computer-simulation model to assist in maximizing energy performance.

· Install mechanical ventilation equipment.

· Install high-efficiency heating and cooling equipment. Install a lighting control system.

· Install high-efficiency lights, appliances, and fixtures with motion/occupancy sensors where appropriate.

· Consider heating/cooling and energy from renewable sources (e.g., solar, wind, biomass, geothermal, bio-gas, etc.).

· Minimize light pollution by proper and judicious illumination.

· Design the building with equipment to measure water and energy performance.

· Consider task lighting "opening window" technology, and under floor HVAC systems with individual diffusers.

Tuscan Architecture

Tuscan architecture combines modern and classic elements that make up pure Old World Europe. The beauty of architecture Tuscan style comes from the typical custom crafted natural stone. This includes limestone, travertine and marble. Terracotta floor and roof tiles are often used to give the antique feel. In Tuscan architecture, wooden beams are often refurbished from Tuscan farmhouses.

Tuscany architecture involves fine Italian building materials that create beautiful marble fireplaces, wrought iron gates and amazing fountains.

Integrating Tuscan elements brings a sense of Old-World charm and mystique to indoor and outdoor aspects of your home.



Exterior architecture typically include:

Tile roof Wrought iron front door entrance Walls covered with vines Crumbling stone walls that outline patios and walkways Beautiful travertine cobblestone driveways Brick or stone set garden paving Tuscan Landscape : Lavender, rosemary and sage can be found surrounding a Tuscan style home. Old lemon pots and antique jars give the feel of a Tuscany garden .



Interior architecture typically include:

Walls: Plaster walls with hand painted wall treatments. Usage of warm colors that represent the rolling hills of Tuscany bring the feel of basking under the Tuscan sun! Mediterranean decor involves subtle earth tones. These are standard in French Country decorating.



Ceilings: Textured richly. Stenciled borders can be found along the ceilings. Paneled or vaulted ceilings are a typical choice in decor as it creates pure Tuscany architectural framework. Wooden or chestnut beams provide a rustic feel to the Old World style home.



Floor: Glass, stone and tile are often used to create amazing mosaic art for flooring, which works well with table tops. Terracotta tiles, marble and ceramic flooring marks true Tuscany home decor . Selection of marbles that blend nicely with your Tuscan color palette.

Tuscany architecture uses pale travertine in home flooring. Marble Chips, stucco and crushed stone are polished nicely creating terrazo floors.

Your home can be so beautiful when choosing architecture Tuscan style!

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