Madison's Monastery That is correct, the Greenest Building in America with a Platinum LEED rating of 63 out of 69 belongs to the Benedictine Women of Madison's Holy Wisdom Monastery. To date, that is the most points recently awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council for any certified building in these United States of America.
So a monastery wins over corporate America, now doesn't that say something powerful. Why? Because this was no tiny project. This is a two-story, 30,000 square foot Hoffman LLC designed building. Yet, the Sisters at the monastery in Middleton always worked to help God's green earth. They did a restoration of 95 acres of farmland to prairie and dredge a glacial lake that was filled with silt.
So a monastery wins over corporate America, now doesn't that say something powerful. Why? Because this was no tiny project. This is a two-story, 30,000 square foot Hoffman LLC designed building. Yet, the Sisters at the monastery in Middleton always worked to help God's green earth. They did a restoration of 95 acres of farmland to prairie and dredge a glacial lake that was filled with silt.
While the new smaller and more efficient building has geothermal heating and cooling, a photovoltaic electrical system mounted on the Chapel's roof, and windows with glazing for light and climate control, the Sisters went several steps beyond. All old organ pipes and bells were restored or reused from the old 60,000 square-foot Benedictine House. Anything that could not be reused, was recycled for the new building. Close to 100% of the old building was reused or recycled. That sure makes Corporate America look sinful.
Updated Blog Post - Article on EnergyHotwire.com to GoingTrueGreen.com Blog
Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
Contribute your comments!
Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
Contribute your comments!
