Community health center awarded LEED Gold certification

The Anderson Valley Community Health Center (AVCHC) announced that it received the internationally recognized U.S. Green Building Council LEED® Gold certification award. AVCHC is the first center in California to receive this honor. Certification provides third party verification that the project meets the highest green building measures. AVCHC, partially financed with an RCAC bridge loan, is recognized as a local solution to a global problem.

The following press release was issued by Anderson Valley Health Center and reprinted here with permission.

A first in California!

Anderson Valley's Green Community Health Center

Anderson Valley Community Health Center

Anderson Valley's Community Health Center (AVHC) has recently undergone a transformation to an expanded green facility under the guidance of the local firm Verdier Architects. Verdier’s vision for the project was “Light is the Theme” and the maximization of daylight and views from 95% of the low emissivity glass windows from within the building, make this both attainable and beautiful for visiting patients and health care professionals.

The new AVHC is the first green Community Health Center in California. The ground breaking began in July 2007 and a year later patient visits are underway. The Anderson Valley community raised $1.25 Million after a grant from the Tides Foundation for $250,000.00 was obtained to begin the funding process. The Board of AVHC worked hard to raise the capital as well as obtaining donations of original artwork, furnishings and sustainably harvested milled redwood.

"Already the solar array has enabled us to make substantial savings on our monthly electricity bills ..."

- Judith Dolan

The original 2,700 sq. ft facility has been expanded to include a new ambulance headquarters, dental office, four examination rooms, chiropractic care, a large conference room and a behavioral health suite. The 5,400 sq.ft.expansion was undertaken by Nonella Construction Company of Santa Rosa and incorporates many green features. The building is currently undergoing certification under the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system.

“Already the solar array has enabled us to make substantial savings on our monthly electricity bills and we are projecting 75% of our annual heating and electrical needs will now be met through our photovoltaic installation” said Judith Dolan, Director of the AVCH.

The patient experience at the Anderson Valley Community Health Center has now been greatly enhanced by the sheer beauty of the building and knowing that daylight, energy efficiency and sustainable practices have been thoughtfully incorporated in both the interior and exterior of the facility.

About Anderson Valley Community Health Center

Prior to 1982 the non-profit community health center was housed in a former loggers’ tavern and was open to the public 2 days a week. In December 1983 the AVCH moved into the original 2,700 sq. ft. building at the existing Airport Road location. In 2002, the AVHC Board realized they needed to provide new services for the growing local community, and the expansion planning began.

Contact: Susan Addison

Phone: 707/895-2103

E-mail: barnowl@wildblue.net

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[Editor's Note]

For a complete description of the building's green amenities read “Anderson Valley Celebrates Opening of Expanded Community Health Center” by Sheila Leighton, LEED AP, Verdier Architects, office manager, published in RCAC's Network News, Vol. 27, No. 1.

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