Elon is now the only college or university in North Carolina to have six LEED for Homes certified structures on its campus.
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New houses that opened in the Loy Center this fall for Greek organizations have received LEED Platinum certification, making Elon the only college or university in North Carolina to have six LEED for Homes certified structures on its campus.
LEED certification, short for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is an internationally recognized standard for sustainable design and construction. The LEED for Homes program began in 2008 specifically for single- and multi-family homes.
The Loy Center is the home for Greek Life on campus, housing fraternity and sorority students in residential buildings. Each house is approximately 4,500 square feet.
“I really enjoy living in the Loy Center because of the emphasis on sustainability,” sophomore Maggie Achey said. “We make sure to recycle and take short showers. As a community, we all hold each other accountable to recycle.”
Carefully planned design and construction helped the buildings achieve certification. Water efficiency, reduced energy consumption, recycled materials and high indoor environmental quality were integral in the design of the residences.
In addition to the construction of sustainable facilities, implementing a system of awareness and education was crucial to the Loy Center’s certification. House managers for the homes have completed a training session on the operations and unique features of the new Loy Center houses, and there is a Sustainable Living Guide for the residents.
For more information about the sustainable features of the new Loy Center houses, visit the Sustainability website.