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March 21, 2005
Goizueta renovation earns Emory’s first LEED gold rating

By beverly clark

Emory strengthened its “LEED” in environmental sustainability recently with the first building on a university campus to earn gold-level Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Existing Buildings certification (LEED-EB), a rigorous process overseen by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). A meticulous renovation of the Goizueta Business School mechanical systems resulted in its earning the gold rating.

“The USGBC is pleased to recognize the accomplishment of Emory University and its project team in earning certification as LEED-EB Gold,” said Tom Hicks, USGBC program manager from LEED-EB. “This designation identifies Emory’s building as a pioneering example of sustainable building performance and demonstrates the environmental leadership of the university. Emory’s commitment to LEED-New Construction and LEED-Existing Building helps our common mission of transforming the building industry and creating a greener, healthier world for future generations.”

The Winship Cancer Institute, the Math & Science Center and Candler Library also recently received LEED certification under LEED-New Construction. Both the Math & Science Center and Candler Library have been re-submitted for “silver” certified status. (LEED certifies at four levels: certified, silver, gold and platinum.) These campus facilities will join ranks with the Whitehead Building, which in 2002 was the first facility in the Southeast—and among only 28 in the nation at the time—to be LEED certified.

Emory currently has three more buildings submitted for LEED review, and three other registered projects. All total, Emory is home to 11 buildings that already are or could become LEED-certified, for a total of about 1.1 million square feet—or 25 acres.

Atlanta will be the site for the USGBC’s 2005 annual international conference in November, and Emory will serve as a showcase for LEED design and implementation.

“Emory’s commitment to a comprehensive ‘green’ building program and our emergence as a national leader in this growing trend reflects our intention to develop an environmentally sustainable campus,” said President Jim Wagner. “Major institutions simply must take the lead in responsible planning to address the challenges of declining air quality, depletion of natural resources and traffic congestion.”

 

 

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