8/28/2008

The University’s 10 West Residence Hall has been awarded LEED Gold by the U.S. Green Building Council -- a distinction shared by just a handful of student residence halls in Massachusetts.

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is the USGBC’s leading rating system for designing and constructing the world’s greenest, most energy efficient, and high performing buildings.

“This award reflects Suffolk University’s commitment to making its new buildings environmentally friendly and sustainable,” said Gordon King, senior director of facilities planning and management. “In designing 10 West, Suffolk set out to exceed the city of Boston’s high expectations for new buildings to be environmentally friendly.”

The LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System™, administered by the U.S. Green Building Council, encourages sustainable green building and development practices.  The mission of USGBC is “to transform the way buildings and communities are designed, built and operated, enabling an environmentally and socially responsible, healthy, and prosperous environment that improves the quality of life.”

Highlights of the 10 West Residence Hall

• Water Efficiency: Low-flow plumbing fixtures in aggregate use an estimated 32 percent less water than standard fixtures
• Site Selection: Near community infrastructure and public transportation
• Alternative Transportation: Bike Storage Room
• Building Selection: Suffolk University chose to reuse an existing building rather than build new. The vast majority of the structure and shell as well as 56 percent of the interior non-structural components were saved.
• Energy Efficiency: The new HVAC design has DDC (direct digital controls) providing centralized monitoring, adjustment, and alarms for each piece of equipment. Also, EnergyStar equipment and appliances were used throughout the project. Of the appliances and electronic equipment that are available with an EnergyStar rating, more than 95 percent (by rated power) are EnergyStar rated.
• Recycling: More than 75 percent of the construction waste was recycled.  Every floor provides for recycling by residents.
• Recycled Content: More than 20 percent of the total building materials content by value were manufactured using recycled materials
• Low-Emitting Materials: carpets, paints and coatings, adhesives and sealants, wood, and furnishings contribute to indoor air quality
• Green Cleaning Program
• Signage: educates building occupants and visitors of environmental features

“Suffolk values the environmental, economic, health, and community benefits associated with green building practices,” said Erica Mattison, campus sustainability coordinator.  “It is very exciting for the University to have led the development of one of only a handful of Gold LEED-certified residence halls in the state and to receive this point of distinction for its commitment to green building practices.”

The design team that successfully integrated green building practices throughout 10 West included CBT Architects, Green Roundtable, Suffolk Construction, Environmental Health & Engineering, Sladen Feinstein, RF Walsh, and Zade Company, Inc. 

Separately, 10 West also was lauded by University Business magazine for its ability to meet the needs of today’s students, and for incorporating green elements.

The 10 West Residence Hall was featured in University Business’ “Dorms of Distinction” issue in August. The magazine highlighted the 10 West renovation and rehab project that “brought new life to a Boston neighborhood.”

It also noted the high ceilings and large windows that “create open, airy and bright spaces,” as well as kitchens with full-size appliances, European-style cabinetry, granite countertops and private bathrooms in suites, with tubs and Italian tile floors.

University Business said 10 West was chosen for its ability to foster a sense of community through exterior spaces; for helping to keep students and their belongings safe; for incorporating green elements in an aesthetically pleasing way; and for making students feel at home.

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