BHM Terminal Awarded LEED Gold for New Construction

April 21, 2016

The Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport announced April 20, that it has been awarded LEED Gold for New Construction as established by the U.S. Green Building Council and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI).  

The Birmingham Airport Authority achieved its LEED certification for energy use, lighting innovation, water conservation, and material use, as well as incorporating a variety of other sustainable strategies.  By using less energy and water, LEED certified buildings save money for families, businesses and taxpayers; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and contribute to a healthier environment for residents, workers and the larger community. 

“This LEED certification is yet another positive component of the $201 million Terminal Modernization Project.  Congratulations to everyone associated with the project,” said Alfonso Denson, Birmingham Airport Authority president and CEO. 

LEED certification of Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport was based on a number of green design, construction and operational features that positively impact the project itself and the broader community.  These features include:

  • Energy modeling was performed throughout the design process to evaluate energy consumption and to maintain the model, as designed.
  • Maximizing the utilization of natural daylight to improve passenger experience and to minimize the need for artificial lighting.
  • High-efficiency light fixtures to minimize energy consumption when artificial lighting is used.
  • Regional Materials: 44.47 percent of the total building materials have been extracted, harvested or recovered as well as manufactured within 500 miles of the project site.
  • Rainwater harvesting to reduce water consumption by building occupants and reducing discharge into the storm water drainage system.
  • High-efficiency thermal building envelope and solar water heating at public restroom clusters to reduce energy consumption.
  • Recycled content:  22.66 percent of the total building materials content, by value, has been manufactured using recycled materials.
  • Waste management practices were used by the construction manager throughout the project to practice construction activity pollution prevention. 

An achievement plaque will be placed in the airport terminal in the upcoming months.