Elon University's newest dining hall receives recognition for its sustainable design and operation.
Lakeside Dining Hall has received LEED Silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, making it the 19th LEED certified structure on Elon University’s campus.
LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. The certification was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council and is now an internationally-recognized benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. With a Green Building Policy that calls for new construction projects larger than 8,000-square-feet to be built according to LEED standards, Elon is quickly becoming a hub for green construction.
Lakeside Dining Hall includes the Winter Garden Café food court, a dining hall featuring local, home and international stations, and additional space for campus programs.
LEED certification for new construction is assessed based on a point system that considers sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, innovation in design and regional priority credits.
Notable highlights of the Lakeside Dining Hall structure and construction include a 33 percent reduction in water use or over 190,000 gallons per year, 20 percent more energy efficient than a building constructed to standard code, building materials that are composed of 19 percent recycled materials (based on cost), abundant natural light and GREENGUARD certified chairs.
One of the most unique features contributing to the building’s energy efficiency is a living roof above the Winter Garden Café that is just more than 1,000-square-feet in size. Green or vegetated roofs absorb rainwater, provide insulation, create a habitat for wildlife and mitigate the heat island effect.
Additional details on the building’s sustainable features can be found on the Office of Sustainability’s website.