Health Facility to Achieve LEED Silver

CHARLESTON, S.C. — The Medical University of South Carolina has added an eleventh location; the MUSC Health East Cooper Facility.

The 80,000-square-foot outreach facility offers 92 treatment rooms with 60 physicians that rotate in and out of the building and a full line of imaging.

Services include: orthopedics, rheumatology, endocrinology, family medicine, neurology, pediatric neurology, ENT, neurosurgery, maternal-fetal wellness, oncology and cancer infusion services.

The health center is located at an apex in a development that is at the end of a citywide interstate artery. The new center is central for residents in Mt. Pleasant and allows closer access to residents of Lowcounty.

Amenities offered to patients include a roof healing garden, community room, free parking, relaxation area and a medical concierge.

One major aspect of the facility that qualifies it for LEED Silver is an ice storage method for the cooling system.

“We make ice in five different 17,000 lbs storage cylinders during the evening after peak energy times so we enjoy a lower energy rate. We store that ice over night and use it during the day to cool the building,” said Chris Cochran, Medical University South Carolina. Because of our utilization trend of energy, we’re able to get a very special energy rate from the utility company.”

In addition, all of the major structural steel was recycled, the parking area is recycled concrete, all other construction materials were purchased within the 500-mile regional requirements, a green roof system, water efficiency was reduced by 50 percent, and the center is located near two local bus routes.

“We’re glad to be leaders in the community with respect in building this type of building,” said Cochran.

Added Katherine Fishburne, lead documenter for the hospital, “We’re anxious to see all of our hard work come to a resolution.”

The 23-month construction period was completed in one stage, with Stubbs Muldrow and Herin as lead architect and MECA as the mechanical engineer.

Funding for the project came in an undisclosed amount by private bonds from the MUSC Physicians, the private practice plan of the Medical University of South Carolina.

“The building is about the patient,” said Philip Costello, president of MUSC Physicians Practice Group in a statement. “We’re excited about this new addition to the MUSC network.”