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Wittenberg’s Blair Hall county’s first to receive international honor

Building earns high-level energy, environmental certification.

A dedication ceremony is held for the newly renovated Blair Hall at Wittenberg University on Oct. 8, 2010. The building, which houses the university's Department of Education, was completely made-over and modernized. staff photo by bill lackey

Bill Lackey A dedication ceremony is held for the newly renovated Blair Hall at Wittenberg University on Oct. 8, 2010. The building, which houses the university's Department of Education, was completely made-over and modernized. staff photo by bill lackey

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By Everdeen Mason, Staff Writer 11:26 PM Tuesday, July 5, 2011

SPRINGFIELD — Wittenberg University’s Blair Hall became the first building in Clark County to receive an internationally regarded certificate for sustainable building design last week.

Blair Hall, which houses the university’s education department, received a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification, nearly a year after a $5 million renovation improved the environmental and energy impact and upgraded the technology of the 100-year-old building. The Gold LEED certificate received is the second highest rating out of four.

The certification highlights the “much larger issue of our commitment to sustainability issues,” said Mark Erickson, Wittenberg president. “During renovation we made every effort to do everything we could to sustain energy and the environment. We’re excited.”

The certificate is based on an accreditation system from the United States Green Business Council that evaluates seven environmental areas, such as energy and water efficiency, materials used, the building design and more, said John Paulson, director of physical plant, safety and environment. Calls to the GBC were not returned.

Ohio “code allows you to build at lower standards, but by going beyond we were able to build a better building and save money,” Paulson said. “That’s commendable.”

Paulson said Blair Hall made renovations that used more local building materials, improved water efficiency, installed a special heating and air system and designed rooms so they would utilize more daylight to decrease light use. The more efficient design could save the university more than $6,500 a year in energy costs and $140 a year in water.

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0371 or emason@coxohio.com.

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