Around WakeTech
College Facility Receives National Recognition
WENDELL, N.C. (November 26, 2024) – The Central Energy Plant at Wake Tech East has received two national awards from the Design-Build Institute of America for exemplary design and construction.
Designed by HH Architecture and constructed by Skanska, the 15,700-square-foot facility was awarded the National Award of Excellence in the Commercial/Office Buildings category and the Best in Process in the Progressive Design-Build category. The awards were presented earlier this month in Dallas, Texas.
The standout facility features 297 geothermal wells and provides heating and cooling for the entire campus. It is one of the largest geothermal well installations in the Southeast.
Because of its numerous energy-saving features, the project was recognized for setting new standards in sustainable design and collaboration. It is the first facility in North Carolina to earn Four Green Globes® certification and also won the 2023 Green Globes® Project of the Year.
Other sustainable features of the building include:
- Sustainable building materials
- Rooftop solar photovoltaic panels, which convert sunlight into electricity
- High-efficiency lighting design
- Natural daylight and connection to nature
- Low volatile organic compound (VOC) materials, such as paint, sealers and cleaning products, which make the air healthier to breathe
- Electric vehicle charging stations
