Dell Children's LEEDs the Way

Dell Children's was officially designated as the world's first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environment Design) Platinum hospital by the United States Green Building Council in January. This distinctive honor has been highly anticipated since the planning stages of Dell Children's, when Seton Family of Hospitals set its sights on creating a world-class hospital designed to heal children without harming the environment.

Not only do green buildings increase efficiency and save money, studies prove they improve the health and well-being of occupants. The Dell Children's facility reduces energy, water, wastes and toxins. Inside the building, it smells like outside – there's no odor because of the materials used, including low-polluting paints, adhesives and natural linoleum flooring that require nontoxic soap and water cleanup. Low-rise buildings are linked by courtyards and quiet spaces, all designed to be child-friendly and unintimidating. Gardens reflect plant life of the surrounding Central Texas area and numerous water features give children the comfort of familiar sights. Natural sunlight brightens rooms and hallways, and beautiful colors and artwork lift spirits.

One of the biggest issues with hospitals and other health care environments is "sealing" people inside. For Meg and Corby Bittner, the green aspects had a profound effect on their family's experience at Dell Children's.

"The gardens gave us a chance to remove ourselves from the stress of what our daughter, Faith, was enduring and escape into the beautiful landscape, relax by the reflection pond and listen to the waterfall," says Corby. "Natural sunlight is more pleasant than fluorescent lights and gives the medical center a more inviting ambiance. We are grateful to have this incredible medical center available to us, close to home."