New Building - A Model of Green Design
Simmons is seeking Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for its newly opened School of Management and Academic Building. Click here for details.
The LEED Green Building Rating System™ encourages global adoption of sustainable green building and development practices through the implementation of standardized evaluation criteria and practices. It is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high-performance, green buildings. There are five levels of LEED certification: Certified, Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum
The new Simmons building is being evaluated based on six categories: Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy & Atmosphere, Materials & Resources, Indoor Environmental Quality, and Innovation & Design.
Simmons will join only three other higher education institutions in Greater Boston—Harvard, Suffolk and Tufts universities—that have buildings certified at the Silver level or higher. It is anticipated that the building will use 34% less water and 38% less energy than a building of the same size.
Beyond the environmental benefits, the opening of the new building represents another milestone for the college: It is the first time in Simmons's history that all its schools are located on one academic campus.
Environmental Responsibility
In a state-of-the-art construction project that will unite all schools on one campus for the first time in history, Simmons is attempting to make history of another kind: by becoming part of an elite group of educational institutions that boasts environmentally responsible buildings.
The College is seeking one of the highest levels of LEED certification for its new School of Management and Academic Building.
For more information on LEED Certification, visit www.usgbc.org/LEED