Harvard University declared that it has earned its 50th LEED certification awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council. The landmark achievement comprises six platinum-level projects constituting over 1.5 million FT2 of offices, classrooms, libraries, dormitories and labs.
The renovation of HGSE's Larsen Hall First Floor Classroom made it the First LEED-CI Platinum certified class room in the world.
It has registered another 3 million FT2 of area for carrying out LEED certification process. The University is planning to bring down its greenhouse gas emission levels 30% lesser than the level in the year 2006 by the year 2016.
Presently the University has over 90 green construction projects that have either obtained LEED certification or in the process of getting one. The energy models introduced in all the 14 new LEED building projects have earned an energy savings of over $1.5 million resulting in decrease of over 4,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions every year which can be equated to an average 34% reduction below the specified industry energy standards.
Since it’s getting the first commercial interior LEED pilot project in 2001, the university has been utilizing the rating systems specified by USGBC to campaign for sustainable design to make constant progress and to assure answerability in building operations, maintenance, construction and design.
The University engages its sustainability, operations, construction and design teams to join forces in achieving its eco-friendly goals all through the project development and execution processes. The green building achievement of Harvard University has been motivated by extensive community participation from its staff, faculty and students from many of its schools and units.