Goodall Environmental Studies Center recognized by U.S. Green Building Council
April 4, 2012
S.C. Exemplary Project Award presented to Wofford
SPARTANBURG, SC – April 4, 2012 – Wofford College’s Goodall Environmental Studies Center recently received the Exemplary Project Award from the U.S. Green Building Council-South Carolina Chapter. The award recognizes outstanding projects with the ability to inspire others to pursue Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. Receiving the award at a luncheon on April 29 in Greenville, S.C., were Wofford trustee Betty Montgomery; Jason Burr, associate vice president for facilities; and B.G. Stephens, who is retired from the faculty and is active in the Glendale community.
The Goodall Center is located in the restored and renovated former Glendale Mill office building overlooking the Lawson’s Fork of the Pacolet River in the historic textile mill town of Glendale. It serves as the hub of activities for Wofford’s environmental studies program.
Glendale Mill began operations in 1832, but closed in 1961. The property suffered due to neglect and fire damage. In 2005, several local organizations and Wofford alumni began a campaign to revitalize Glendale and to preserve the history and natural resources of Lawson’s Fork Creek. The mill office became the home for the new environmental studies program, providing a clear example of sustainable design and creative historic preservation. The center reestablished an identity for the community of Glendale and opened the beauty of Lawson’s Fork Creek — hidden for 100 years.
In November 2010, the project achieved LEED Platinum Certification, the first academic building and only the third non-residential building in the state to achieve that distinction.
Highlights of the building’s sustainable features include:
- Uses 32 percent less energy than average buildings of the same size and type
- Uses 45 percent less potable (tap) water than average buildings of the same size and type
- Uses non-potable water for toilet flushing and stored rainwater for irrigation
- Has a highly reflective “cool” roof that reduces its heat island effect
- 78 percent of the construction waste was recycled (not sent to the landfill)
John Lane, director of the center and associate professor of English, notes, “The LEED Platinum designation serves as an indication of Wofford’s leading role in sustainability. The LEED process is complex, but in the end, gratifying. The project is a great teaching tool; students can see the results in this efficient and beautiful building.”
The lead architect for the restoration and renovation project was Donnie Love of McMillan Pazdan Smith of Spartanburg. Chris Swale was the construction administrator for the firm.
In September 2010, the Spartanburg County Historical Association honored Wofford and the architects with the Peggy T. Gignilliat Preservation Award for the Goodall Center project, recognizing it for attention to historical detail, for meeting Wofford’s teaching needs, and for meeting cutting-edge environmental standards. The center also was featured on 2010’s South Carolina Historic Preservation Month poster, “Old is the New Green,” a publication of the S.C. Department of Archives and History.
LEED is the leading national green certification program, which reviews building performance in five areas: energy efficiency, indoor environmental quality, materials selection, sustainable site development and water savings.
About Wofford College
Wofford College, established in 1854, is an independent liberal arts college of 1,550 students
in Spartanburg, S.C. Wofford ranks 2nd nationally in the percentage of undergraduates receiving credit
for study abroad. Home to one of the nation’s 280 Phi Beta Kappa chapters, Wofford’s historic 175-acre campus is recognized as a national arboretum. Wofford is affiliated with the United Methodist Church.
