Dr. Brad Johnson (left) and his wife, Dr. Sandy Johnson, are shown with the team that helped construct a new Johnson Dermatology Clinic in Ft. Smith that will be the first clinic in the state to apply for Leadership in Energy and Energy Design (LEED) cert

First Medical Clinic in State Goes After LEED Certification

FORT SMITH--Johnson Dermatology Clinic is leading the way with LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). The facility owned by husband-and-wife team Sandy Johnson, MD, and Brad Johnson, MD, is believed to be the first medical clinic in the state to use green building techniques that would qualify it to become LEED certified by the U.S. Green Building Council.

The project had complete buy-in on the concept of sustainability, said project architect Travis R. Bartlett, AIA, MAHG Architecture, Fort Smith.

“The owner, architect and contractor were committed from the beginning to envision, design, and build a project that would weave the thread of sustainability throughout the project,” Bartlett said. “With buildings consuming approximately 40 percent of the world’s energy and producing approximately 40 percent of all global waste, we as architects have to improve the way we design and construct buildings. We have to walk the talk.”

The 12,000-square-foot clinic is located in a rural area of Fort Smith with a lot of farms around it. So instead of something stark and modern looking, they chose the concept of the modern barn to guide the design process. Bartlett said the project embodies the simple lines and exposed structure of a barn with the technology and science of a state-of-the-art medical practice and sustainable building. 

“The modern barn concept followed through to the silo we use to store harvested rain-water for non-potable water use,” said Michael L. Lejong, a LEED Accredited Professional and partner with MAHG. “A geo-thermal system heats and cools the building. The light color of the roof and surrounding concrete parking reduce the overall heat-island effect. That results in less energy usage to cool the building during the summer months.”

While the building was more expensive than conventional construction, long term there will be significant benefits, said the contractor for the project, Travis Beshears, a partner with Beshears Construction.

“Plus it is designed to get better payback for your employees,” Beshears said. “For example, every room has natural daylight features that make people feel better about their work environment, which makes for happier and more productive employees. It is great, especially, to see healthcare professionals being more aware of how the work environment can affect people’s health.”

The federal government and a lot of schools including the University of Arkansas system have been building many of their new buildings to be LEED certified. And Beshears thinks more private businesses like Johnson Dermatology will be going after LEED certification.

“It makes me very proud to be part of construction of the clinic, especially it being one of the few buildings in Fort Smith that is going for LEED certification,” Beshears said.

Sandy Johnson said the new “green” office is part of a commitment that started back in 2006 when they went to electronic medical records to avoid wasting paper. They also use cloth instead of paper gowns. Their home has many environmental features such as solar panels and geothermal heat and cooling. They also recycle and are careful about using green household products.

When it came time to build a new clinic, they decided to continue down the path of environmental sustainability.

“We feel that as medical professionals and community leaders, we owe it to our community, our patients, and our children to invest in a place that is as environmentally friendly as possible,” Johnson said. “It is a lot more expensive to do it that way, but we feel the cost is worth it considering the decrease in the impact we will have on the environment. And, there will be cost savings in the future. Also, as dermatologists we discuss with patients how to be sun smart as we treat skin cancer on a daily basis. Anything that we can do to help the environment also helps us, our patients and the future.”
The new clinic that opened April 1 was built with the Johnson’s two children in mind.

“We have a ten-year-old son, and an eight-year-old daughter,” Johnson said. “We are concerned about their future. They are integral in our recycling at the house. We talk to them about not leaving the water running and turning off the lights when they leave the room. This clinic is just an extension of our thought process.”

They were careful to use green paints and other healthy building materials that minimize outgassing of volatile organic compounds that are hazardous to breathe.

“Some people say they like that new house smell, but those are actually toxins in our environment,” Johnson said. “So we don’t have any of that. A lot of people just don’t know how important this is. We want our clinic to be as healthy as it can be.”

Other green features of the building include artificial light controlled with motion sensors to minimize unnecessary electrical use. There are more than 50 temperature controls throughout the building to provide individual control for the people in the building. Rainwater is being harvested and stored. And landscaping is drought proof, eliminating the need for irrigation.

And the clinic is as esthetically pleasing as it is functional.

“It is beautiful,” Johnson said. “It is amazing what it does for your sense of mood and overall happiness.”

There are several different designations for LEED certification. The Johnsons plan to apply for Silver LEED certification.

Tags:

Bookmark:

Facebook

Technorati

Newsvine

Google

Related: