Emory University was recently awarded the first-ever “LEED-Showcase Award for Innovation in Business” from the Atlanta Business Chronicle. This award honors LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) projects, certified in 2010, that set the bar for innovation and best practices.
“We are very proud of the 16 green buildings on Emory’s campus,” says Matthew Early, Emory’s vice president for Campus Services. “Emory’s green building portfolio incorporates a number of advanced approaches into our campus construction projects that are pragmatic and unique.”
Emory continues to advance its campus sustainability by being a catalyst for green building and received this accomplishment for Evans and Few Residence halls, which recently earned LEED Gold certification from the USGBC (United States Green Building Council). The 110,000-square-foot, twin buildings are the sixth and seventh Emory buildings to receive LEED Gold certification.
The Goizueta Business School building holds the distinction of being the first academic building in the country to achieve LEED Gold certification of an existing building, as well as LEED Gold certification for our newest addition, built in 2005.
Evans and Few Residence Halls were built as part of the university’s housing master plan to accommodate freshman who can’t have vehicles while living on campus. The residence halls promote Emory’s pedestrian-friendly campus with indoor bicycle storage while providing access to the university’s alternatively fueled shuttle and public transportation.
A water-friendly rainwater reuse system also is incorporated into the development’s green strategy. To preserve water resources, storm water from the complex is channeled to a bio-retention pond adjacent to the buildings. After the water is filtered, it is collected in an 89,000-gallon reservoir of underground chambers that is connected to a 16-000-gallon cistern. Solar power is then used to pump the water from the cistern into the buildings where it is filtered again, treated and used to flush toilets in restrooms. This system, in conjunction with the buildings’ dual flush toilets, is designed to make the system 100 percent sustainable and use no potable water for toilet flushing.
“Emory’s approach to green living encompasses more than building construction. We also include a structured curriculum inside and outside of the classroom,” adds Early.
Additional approaches to green living include programming and activities targeting the occupants of Evans and Few halls, which focus on educating and encouraging students to adopt sustainable living habits.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This press release was issued by Emory University. Click here for more information. You can also get more sustainability news from the university by following @EmoryGreen on Twitter.
Congrats on the awards. Well deserved!