University of Southern Maine

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First University-Owned Building in Maine Certified by U.S. Green Building Council
USM, Harriman Associates, Wright-Ryan recognized for eco-friendly facility

May 5 , 2005

University of Southern Maine’s recently renovated and expanded John Mitchell Center has become the first university-owned building in the state to earn LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council for its environmentally responsible design. The 23,000-square-foot Advanced Technology Wing and associated renovations of the Mitchell Center on USM’s Gorham campus, designed by Auburn-based Harriman Associates and constructed by Portland-based Wright-Ryan Construction, Inc., is also the first LEED-certified building designed and built by Maine architectural/engineering and construction firms.

The U.S. Green Building Council is a national coalition of building industry leaders working to promote the design and construction of buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to work. The LEED Certification designation recognizes achievements in green construction, building function, and design practices in the development of sustainable buildings.

“Harriman Associates was proud to be part of a team that was led by a client such as USM that had a vision for sustainability to our environment, not only for today, but for future generations,” says Harriman Associates’ President Edward A. Cormier, P.E.

The John Mitchell Center renovation project, which began in June 2002 and was completed in November 2004, was made possible when the 120th Session of the Maine State Legislature authorized and Maine voters approved a $4-million bond issue. Thanks to a fundraising campaign and the efforts of Senators Susan M. Collins and Olympia J. Snowe, and Representative Thomas H. Allen, USM matched the state funds with private and federal monies.

Harriman Associates’ architectural and engineering staff worked closely with USM Manager of Engineer and Architectural Services Dana Gray to oversee the LEED design, documentation, and certification process.  Construction manager on the project was Portland-based Wright-Ryan Construction, Inc. whose role was instrumental in locating approved building materials, finding innovative recycling resources, and keeping extensive documentation. 

“Achieving LEED Certification symbolizes USM’s commitment to being good stewards of the environment. But our goal could not have been realized without the help of a diverse team of dedicated individuals at USM, including USM Facilities Management and members of faculty and staff, as well as the professionals at Harriman Associates, Wright-Ryan Construction, and their subcontractors,” says Gray. 

Wright-Ryan is a founding member of the U.S. Green Building Council - Maine Chapter, and is actively working towards producing a new generation of buildings that promote sustainable building practices.  Other “green” projects Wright-Ryan has completed include the Maine Audubon Society’s Environmental Center at Gilsland Farm in Falmouth and a straw bale building on the Merriconeag Waldorf campus in Freeport.

With construction completed, USM’s Mitchell Center, home to USM’s School of Applied Science, Engineering, and Technology (ASET), now houses new laboratories and more classrooms to respond to the need for engineering and technology programs.

“This is a great example of a sustainable building giving students who will be entering engineering and technology professions a sense of environmental responsibility,” says John Wright, USM dean of ASET. 

Among the green features of the design and construction of the Mitchell Center are:

• Construction and design materials, such as carpets, paints, panels and other elements, were selected because they emit fewer problematic compounds into the air during manufacture, installation, and post-installation.
• Nearly 60 percent of wood purchased (based on total costs) for construction were purchased from local, Forest Stewardship Council Certified sources, thereby supporting sound forest management practices, reducing transportation-related pollution, and boosting our region’s economy.
• Fifty percent of the electricity used by the Mitchell Center effectively will be fossil fuel-free for at least the first two years of operation, utilizing a contract for the “environmental attributes” of electricity generated by wind turbines.
• Water-efficient plumbing fixtures used throughout the Mitchell Center will permit the facility to meet its needs using 26 percent less water.
• Almost 90 percent of the construction-related wastes were recycled or reused, resulting in cleaner air for our community as less waste is processed in local incinerators.

The John Mitchell Center, built in 1965, is named after USM Professor Emeritus John Mitchell of Gorham. Mitchell was instrumental in the creation of what is now USM’s School of Applied Science, Engineering, and Technology, and during his career, he was recognized as a national leader in the field of industrial education.

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