Tri-C Westshore Recognized for Sustainable Building

Tri-C Westshore's is being honored with Westlake's 2011 Award of Distinction for Environmental Awareness. Designers are hoping to achieve a LEED Green Building rating.

LEED certification, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council.

“We know that sustainability is going to be a hallmark of what we do,” said Westshore Campus President J. Michael Thomson back when the campus opened in January. “We have picked substances, floors and paints that are all environmentally friendly.”

The college has applied for LEED Gold Certified building status, but does not yet have the designation, which takes into account many, many aspects of a building from windows to paint to heating.

“We are very pleased to receive this award,” Thomson said. “The college is strongly committed to sustainability. To have our good partner, the city of Westlake, recognize our commitment is quite an honor.”

The 65,000 square-foot, $24.3 million facility is the first of three buildings planned for the 33-acre site.

Among the goals of the Westshore campus as a LEED Gold Certified building are:

• 35 % energy cost savings
• 49 % reduction in domestic water usage
• 75 % construction waste diverted from landfill
• 100 % tobacco-free interiors
• 100 % reduction in landscape watering