LUBBOCK, TX Hill & Wilkinson General Contractors announces that the Texas Tech University Innovation Hub and Research Park project has been awarded LEED Silver Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. Located at the corner of Fourth Street and Quaker Avenue in Lubbock, Texas, the 110-acre research park includes a 40,000-square-foot, $29 million laboratory focusing on commercial startups. By promoting entrepreneurialism, innovation and partnerships between Texas Tech, Texas Tech Health Sciences Center and business communities, the facility will further research efforts in a myriad of areas.

"We are proud of this beautiful facility and all that it stands for," said Paul Driscoll, CEO of Hill & Wilkinson. "The concept was designed to be highly collaborative and flexible with the idea to minimize negative environmental impacts and ensure staff can perform to their fullest potential. Resource savings and occupant health and well-being were fundamental driving principles throughout the project."

The Hill & Wilkinson design-build team was responsible for master planning, civil, structural, architectural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, equipment planning, procurement and construction of all phases of the research park.  The build-out includes a variety of research facilities totaling over 1,000,000 square feet.

Highlights of the building's green features include more than 80,000 square feet of vegetated open space using native, drought-tolerant plants; a 43 percent reduction in indoor potable water use; a 60 percent reduction of irrigated potable water for landscaping; and a 25 percent reduction in energy use. In addition, the site's public transportation strategy, which includes a campus shuttle stop and a stop for the public bus system, contributes to thousands of vehicle miles avoided for Research Park users annually, and a significant corresponding reduction in carbon emissions.