by Ann Withanee — October 31, 2011—The U.S. Green Building Council awarded the Apogee Stadium at the University of North Texas (UNT) a LEED Platinum certification, making it the first newly constructed collegiate football stadium in the nation to achieve the highest level of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification.
The UNT System led the construction of the stadium, which was designed by HKS Sports & Entertainment Group and built by Manhattan Construction Company. The 31,000-seat Apogee Stadium features luxury suites, an amenity-filled club level, a Spirit Store, a corporate deck and a unique end zone seating area. In addition to hosting UNT events, it will serve the entire North Texas region as a venue for outdoor concerts, community events, high school games and band competitions.
Achieving LEED status is a worthy goal for all projects under construction. Not only does the facility achieve distinction, it also is contributing to the ecological welfare of the world. Kudos to the team responsible for the LEED Platinum that has been awarded to the University of North Texas’ Apogee Stadium. The project numbers many sustainable highlights, some of which are enumerated below.
Enhancing the site and its surroundings:
- More than 50 percent of the stadium site is preserved or restored with landscaping that is native to the North Texas climate.
- The natural, park-like setting allows the community to enjoy the venue year-round. Permeable pavers, combined with the native landscaped site, reduce storm water runoff and minimize the heat island effect.
Reducing water and energy consumption:
- It is estimated the three wind turbines will provide approximately half a million kilowatt hours per year for the UNT Eagle Point power grid effectively eliminating 323 metric tons of CO2.
- The high-performance stadium design reduces energy consumption by 25 percent.
- Low flow plumbing fixtures will reduce water consumption by more than 52 percent.
- The high-performance stadium design reduces energy consumption by 25 percent.
Promoting sustainable and recycled materials:
- Of the products and materials used in the construction of the stadium, 20 percent were made with recycled content and more than 47 percent were manufactured locally.
- To further reduce CO2 emissions, higher percentages of fly ash were substituted for cement to construct the concrete portions of the project.
In addition, the indoor environmental quality was improved. Low volatile organic compound (VOC)-emitting materials such as adhesives, sealants, paints, coatings and flooring were used to improve the indoor air quality for the building occupants. Ninety percent of regularly occupied indoor spaces provides occupants with natural daylight and views to the outdoors.
