Group home certified as ‘green’ building

Environmentally sound
practices were used in
building the facility.

By LAURE CIOFFI

VINDICATOR PENNSYLVANIA BUREAU

PULASKI, Pa. — A group home for the mentally ill has the distinction of being the smallest “green” building in the country.

The Edgewood group home operated by the New Castle Human Services Center was certified by the U.S. Green Building Council with its Leadership in Energy Design designation.

The building off of Old Pulaski Road serves as a long-term group home for mentally ill people making the transition from the hospital to home. Residents can live there for up to six months.

The LEED designation recognizes the environmentally sound practices used in building the facility, which was constructed a few years ago.

Among its features is a system that captures and reuses storm water, a light-colored metal roof that reflects light and reduces cooling losses, and the purchase of recycled materials used in the construction and inside the building.

“It raised the bar for all of us. It made us rise to the challenge of doing something that’s extremely out of the box,” said Diane Coury, the interior designer who worked on the building.

One of smallest certified

At 3,800 square feet, it’s one of the smallest buildings certified by the U.S. Green Building Council. Among the buildings that have this “green” certification is the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh.

“We need more examples of this to show that things can be done on a modest scale,” said Maureen Guttman, executive director of the Governor’s Green Building Council in Pennsylvania.

These types of buildings reduce energy costs — something becoming necessary as natural resources become more limited, she said.

Rebecca Flora, executive director of the Green Building Alliance of Pittsburgh, said she uses this project as an example for her large builders when encouraging them to use more energy-efficient building practices.

“This one little project is a seed that can help people change,” she said.

This is one of several housing projects by the Human Services Center that has used “green” building principles in the last few years.

Dennis Nebel, HSC executive director, said his organization has been passionate about the environment for the people they serve and the community.

While construction materials were carefully picked for their environmental soundness, the same care was taken inside. Furniture made from recycled materials, heated concrete flooring that doesn’t require much maintenance and nontoxic paints were used.

Edgewood, located on 19 rural acres, has been a haven for residents. One resident, who was identified only by his first name, Dave, due to his status as a patient, said the location and the beautiful building have helped in his mental health recovery.

“Coming here gave me a sense of relaxation at first sight. There is absolute peace and serenity here,” he said.

cioffi@vindy.com