Hughes Marino was selected to manage the design and construction of the Melvin Garb Hillel Center at SDSU, and we are proud to announce that the Center is slated to open in the spring of 2014. We’ve enjoyed working on this project immensely, and we wanted to give you an update on our progress, along with a sneak peek at what’s to come (hint: did somebody say LEED certified?)

Interior

The structure of the brand new 10,500 square foot, two story Melvin Garb Hillel Center is now complete, and the design is spectacular. With a library, student work area, multipurpose room, offices for administrative staff, a full living room/entertainment area, and a kosher kitchen, the interior is coming along beautifully.

Exterior

The construction team continues to work on the exterior finish, including installation of the glazing system, and beginning the plaster system. Preparations for paving have begun, and the grounds should be paved in a few weeks.

LEED Project

The Melvin Garb Hillel Center at SDSU is by design a LEED project. We anticipate acquiring a minimum certification of “silver” through the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED program. To obtain LEED certification, building projects must satisfy prerequisites and then earn points based on their green building attributes. In the case of the Melvin Garb Hillel Center, several of the points will be earned for the installation of solar panels on the roof. This photovoltaic system will allow the Center to reduce energy consumption by utilizing solar power.

At Hughes Marino we view green building as the way of the future, and we’re thrilled to be on the cutting edge of it. Green building projects like the Hillel Center reduce the impact of new building construction on the environment. From the use of sustainable and recycled materials, to installation of energy efficient appliances, green building is better for the Earth and better for the building owner. Some of the perks include:

• Lower operating costs
• Conservation of water, power, electricity
• Money saving incentives including tax rebates
• Improved health and safety of occupants

It truly has been our pleasure to help facilitate the construction of this beautiful, eco-friendly building, and we look forward to seeing students making use of it this spring.