Emerson goes green
Chelsea Graven
|
Emerson's newest residence hall received LEED certification by the US Green Building Council (USGBC), making it the most environmentally friendly building on campus.
According to a press release by Kling Stubbins, the firm that designed the facility, Piano Row is one of two LEED certified residence halls in Massachusetts, the other being Harvard's One Western Avenue complex. For Emerson, this marks a positive change and national recognition.
"I like how Emerson's really a college of the future--thinking about the future and the environment," said Piano Row resident and marketing communication major Melanie Wong.
Achieving LEED certification can be a difficult process. Certification requires earning at least 26 points for environmentalism, out of a possible 69. There are four tiers of LEED recognition, ranging from certification (the lowest) to Platinum (the highest).
Factors that go into point-earning are divided into five categories: Sustainable Sites, which includes criteria such as alternative transportation, like the nearby T stop, and light pollution reduction; Water Efficiency, which Piano Row achieved through dual flush toilets; Energy and Atmosphere, including optimized energy performance and the amount of renewable energy used; Materials and Resources, such as certified wood, and providing easy access to recycling; and Indoor Environmental Quality, achieved through a ban on smoking near the building and the design of the heating system.
"The only thing that affects my decision to live in Piano is it's newer. But it is nice that there's half-flush toilets and it's certified," Wong said.
Earth Emerson, the college's environmental group, has been dedicated to greening the campus since its inception in 1996 when concerned students noted the lack of recycling on campus. Since then the group has promoted environmental awareness and contributed to Emerson's decision to strive for LEED certification for Piano Row.
"[It] reduces the amount of money spent on energy, which could possibly mean lower tuition, and it is prestigious, it looks very good for the college," said Lauren Robbins, co-president of Earth Emerson.
"LEED certified projects cost less to operate and maintain, are energy- and water-efficient, have high lease-up rates than conventional buildings in their markets, and contribute to occupant health and productivity," said literature published by the USGBC.
According to Green Roundtable, a company that works to mainstream green buildings, the Colonial building, due to open in Fall 2009, will be built in hopes of earning Silver certification. The Paramount, located in Downtown Crossing and also opening in Fall 2009, will not qualify for LEED certification because of the inability to regulate smoking outside the building.
While the certification is a great leap forward for reducing the college's impact on the environment, Robbins and Earth Emerson want people to recognize that there is more left to do.
"The biggest initiative is getting recycling everywhere on campus and making students aware they exist," said Robbins. "The biggest thing a student can do is think about their choices and educate him or herself."