New Dickinson College Residence Hall Gains LEED Platinum Status
The 40,000-square-foot residence hall's landscaping includes 92 new trees and more than 16,000 other plants. Photo by Joe O'Neill.
Joins five other LEED-certified buildings on campus
Dickinson College's new residence hall is the latest building on campus to be recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council for its sustainable construction and footprint. And this time, it’s the council’s highest honor: LEED Platinum.
“LEED—that is, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design—Platinum status is a true accomplishment and a unique distinction for the college,” says Ken Shultes, associate vice president for sustainability & facilities planning. “It’s safe to say that we have raised the sustainability bar with this new building.”
Attributes that contribute to the building's LEED Platinum status, and help reduce carbon emissions, include energy efficient exterior walls and roof, high-efficiency windows and a connection to Dickinson's central energy plant. Additionally, an upgraded stormwater-management system, including four rain gardens, will minimize impacts to the existing community systems.
The residence hall is only one of approximately 50 LEED Platinum-certified projects in Pennsylvania, and it's the only one directly associated with an institution of higher education.
“To have five LEED Gold buildings and one LEED Platinum is real a distinction for us,” says Shultes, noting that the new building joins Althouse Hall, the Rector Science Complex, the Waidner Admissions House, the Durden Athletic Training Center and the Center for Sustainable Living (aka the Treehouse) in Dickinson’s LEED family. “Achieving LEED Platinum certification for our new 130-bed residence hall shows the college’s continuing commitment to renovating and building efficient, healthy and sustainable buildings that provide so many learning opportunities for our students.”
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Published January 30, 2019