Joliet Junior College is building what will be the second LEED certified greenhouse in the United States.
"This greenhouse facility will truly be an impressive building with state of the art features that include a mechanically operable roof and passive cooling system," says Dr. Gena Proulx, JJC president.
Runoff is treated and reused by an on-site system and four underground tanks store rainwater, which is used in the greenhouse. The facility will feature three greenhouses totaling 8,500 square feet, classroom area for 30 students, a head house, two coolers for bulb storage and a pesticide storage room. The facilities should be ready for use in October 2009.
For more details on what qualifies the greenhouse as LEED certified, visit the Joliet Junior College website.