Jean Tyson Child Development Study Center Earns LEED Gold Status from U.S. Green Building Council

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The Jean Tyson Child Development Study Center

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Jean Tyson Child Development Study Center in the Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences at the University of Arkansas has received a design and construction rating of LEED Gold from the U.S. Green Building Council.

LEED, Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design, is a green building tool that addresses the entire building lifecycle by utilizing best-in-class building strategies for design, construction, operations and maintenance. It provides third-party verification of green buildings. Projects earn points to reach different levels of certification.

LEED projects contribute to lower operating costs and increased asset value; conserve energy, water and other resources; are healthier and safer for occupants; and qualify for money-saving incentives. The facility was cited for its energy-efficient systems, use of natural light, low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) products and rainwater collection.

“The award of LEED Gold for the Jean Tyson Child Development Study Center is a product of the commitment of Mike Johnson and the team at Facilities Management in creating a sustainable campus,” said Marty Matlock, executive director of the UA Office for Sustainability. “Through this team, the University of Arkansas is incorporating sustainable thinking and design into every aspect of our campus.”

LEED projects are graded and earn points based on sustainable site location, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, and indoor environmental quality. Additional categories include smart locations and linkage, neighborhood pattern and design, green infrastructure and buildings, innovation in design or in operations, and regional priority.

For the center, construction emphasis was placed on classroom acoustics, master planning, mold prevention and environmental site assessment.

The academic and child-care facility was constructed to meet three objectives – providing a space for teaching, research and service; to architecturally fit within campus structures and the adjoining residential neighborhood; and meet the university’s sustainability goals.

To blend into the combined university and residential location, the facility was broken into smaller modules that represent the scale of the houses along the street in the nearby neighborhood.

For health and wellness goals, two rooms allow for exercise regardless of the weather while a healthy diet is part of the education process. The playground includes raised garden boxes so children can plant and harvest fruits and vegetables, and the kitchen features three large observation windows so children can watch cooks prepare meals with their harvested goods.

Milestone Construction Company installed foam and cellulose insulation and high-performance glazing systems to maximize energy efficiency.

The facility opened in August 2012, and currently provides service for 104 children ages eight weeks to five years. More than 110 faculty, staff and students regularly use the facility for academics and research. The center is open to collaborative research and courses, campus-wide.

“Thanks to our teachers’ commitment and through the support of our families, our program has always lived up to the highest standards,” said Doug Walsh, the center’s executive director for business and operations. “Now we feel fortunate to reside within a facility that reflects the quality of the program found inside.”