Submitted by PeaceHealth
PeaceHealth’s Lynden Clinic has been awarded LEED Silver certification (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) by the U.S. Green Building Council. It is the first PeaceHealth facility to be LEED-certified.
Known as the most widely used green building rating system in the world, LEED provides the framework to create healthy, highly efficient and cost-saving green buildings. LEED certification is a globally recognized symbol of achievement of sustainability.
The 22,500 square-foot, single-story Lynden Clinic, located at 8844 Benson Road, opened for patient care in April 2024. The building meets high standards for air quality, energy efficiency and for using locally sourced materials.
“This is a testament to our vision and commitment to creating a healthier, more sustainable environment for our patients, staff and community,” said Denise Walker, Vice President of PeaceHealth Medical Group Operations in the Northwest network. “It reflects our dedication to reducing our environmental footprint while also providing exceptional patient care. We are proud to lead by example in making this beautiful facility not only a healing space but also an environmentally responsible one.”
Buildings pursuing LEED certification earn points across several categories, such as water efficiency, sustainability, materials and resources, location and transportation, energy and atmosphere, indoor environmental quality, innovation and more. Based on the number of points achieved, a project then earns one of four LEED rating levels: Certified, Silver, Gold or Platinum.
PeaceHealth worked with Mount Vernon-based Carletti Architects and Bellingham-based general contractor Exxel Pacific on the project. Key elements in the design and construction include the following sustainable features:
- One hundred sixty-two rooftop solar panels offset 28% of annual energy needs with clean, green power.
- On-site EV charging helps staff and patients improve fuel economy while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
- Stormwater runoff system diverts building and parking lot stormwater into a bioswale, filtering out pollutants before it enters local waterways. A bridge and riparian corridor improvements help protect native fish and other species.
- Landscaping emphasizes the use of native and drought-resistant plant species to reduce water consumption and to provide food sources for local pollinators.
- Water-efficient irrigation helps reduce water consumption and minimize wastage.
- In addition to employing local construction labor, PeaceHealth locally sourced building materials, including rock from local quarries, timber from nearby sawmills and doors from a Whatcom County manufacturer.
“PeaceHealth leadership chose to take extra steps to earn this higher-level LEED certification as a demonstration of our leadership and commitment to the local community to be good environmental stewards,” said Brian Nelson, PeaceHealth Program Director of Environmental Stewardship. “We see it as a fundamental part of our Mission to continually strive to improve in this area.”
Matt Stormont, PeaceHealth Director of Planning, Design & Construction, said sustainability was integrated in the earliest design phase of the project. “During construction, care was taken to recycle building materials and divert waste from the landfill,” he said. “Creating a sustainable building safe for occupants was an important goal to expand needed healthcare services into the Lynden community.”
The Lynden Clinic houses primary care, including family medicine, pediatrics and same-day services, as well as cardiology, orthopedics, behavioral health and OB/GYN/midwifery. On-site imaging and lab services are available in partnership with Mount Baker Imaging and Quest Diagnostics.
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