Dec. 17, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The transformation of the Mable Engle House into Grand Rapids Community College’s Steven C. Ender Hall has earned honors from the U.S. Green Building Council of West Michigan.
GRCC’s Facilities team, project architect Progressive AE, and construction manager Pioneer Construction were honored this month with the LEED Gold Certified Higher Education project award.
The USGBC-WM Leadership Awards promote outstanding green building initiatives by recognizing projects, organizations, and people who have made extraordinary contributions to achieving healthy, energy-efficient green buildings in the state of Michigan. The Certified Green Building Awards recognize exemplary building projects that received high-performance certifications.
The U.S. Green Building Council of West Michigan, organized in 2004, is a program-based nonprofit dedicated to transforming the way buildings and communities are designed, built, and operated, in a way that improves the quality of life in Michigan.
James VanDokkumburg, GRCC’s executive director of Facilities, said sustainability is one of GRCC’s strategic goals, and is considered through all aspects of the college’s operations. Renovating a historic building rather than replacing it is a sustainable approach that also preserves a connection with the community’s past.
“All the work we do starts with the thought of following our sustainability goals, making our community a better place,” VanDokkumburg said. “But sustainability is more than a goal, it is a recognition of the responsible and right way to do things.”
The building, 455 E. Fulton St., was constructed early in the 20th Century by a lumber baron for his family. GRCC purchased it from Davenport University for use as offices.
The 3,850-square-foot Steven C. Ender Hall is used for student-focused departments, including the Experiential Learning and the Honors programs, and Student Employment Services. It also provides space for Student Life clubs and organizations to meet. A ribbon-cutting was held in August.
Progressive AE worked with GRCC, local building officials, and the city’s Historic Preservation Commission on the $3.4 million renovation.
The project earned Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Gold Certification for Commercial Interiors, a national standard established by the U.S. Green Building Council. GRCC held a ribbon-cutting in August for the building, which was named for President Emeritus Steven C. Ender.