Green Development Guides Planning

When staff members, trustees and community leaders gathered more than two years ago to envision the new University Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro, the groups agreed that the project should be built in an environmentally responsible manner. The group believed that "green" development standards should be applied not only to the new hospital in Plainsboro, but also to the redevelopment of the existing Witherspoon Street campus in Princeton. 

The new hospital will follow U.S. Green Building Council guidelines for the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standard---conserving energy, minimizing impact on the surroundings and proving the best environment for patients, visitors, physicians, nurses and other staff. We believe it will be the most sustainable in N.J. and among the most in the country.  Approximately $60 million is being spent on sustainable design that not only creates a healthier environment, but also enables the hospital to achieve energy operating cost savings of 25 percent of what the hospital would have spent if it were constructed with conventional energy infrastructure.

• Energy-efficient curtain wall system
• Horizontal solar shades on south side
• Sustainable construction materials and finishes
• Environmental control systems for lighting and temperature
• Co-generation, or generating two types of energy (heat and electricity) from a single source of fuel
• Photovoltaic panels
• Energy recovery system to minimize energy impact on heating and cooling
• Chilled water thermal energy storage system
• 100 percent fresh air in patient areas
• Water-saving fixtures
• Indigenous landscape materials
• 32-acre public park along the Millstone River
• Sustainable transit elements (bus rapid transit, electric cars, hybrid vehicles as shuttles, bike and pedestrian amenities)
• East/west building orientation and extensive use of glass to maximize natural light
• High-efficiency motors, transformers, lighting and air handling ducts
• Regional purchasing of construction materials
The current 9.83-acre Witherspoon Street campus is zoned for development as a multi-unit residential complex with retail components suited to the needs of the residential complex and surrounding neighborhood, ample parking (an existing 741 space parking garage), open space, excellent bus transit to all major shopping and cultural centers in Princeton, including to the Princeton shuttle train connecting with the North East Corridor train service, walking distance to the nation's finest cultural, educational, and retail resources. 

The concept plans endorsed by the local governments and planning board received a Smart Growth Award from the Delaware Valley Smart Growth Alliance (DVSGA).

According to the DVSGA, projects that receive recognition are "those that will foster regional growth and redevelopment in a manner that achieves important economic, environmental and quality of life objectives." The DVSGA promotes smart growth projects by recognizing proposed projects prior to development approval. Projects are reviewed by an independent, regionally diverse jury. Each project that is recognized--in compliance with the DVSGA's smart growth criteria--receives a letter of endorsement and an offer of testimony before local approval authorities.

Throughout the development process, PHCS will remain committed to the highest principles of sustainability, environmental responsibility and smart growth.

To support the new, "green" University Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro through the Design for Healing capital campaign, visit www.princetonhcs.org/designforhealing or call 609.497.4190. To make a gift online now, click here.