Founders Hall and Innovation Hall have received LEED Gold certification, marking Elon’s 33rd LEED certification.
Founders Hall and Innovation Hall, the newest buildings in Elon’s Innovation Quad, have been awarded LEED Gold Certification.
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council and is the preeminent green building rating system internationally.
LEED for Building Design and Construction assesses projects on a point-based system that considers sustainable site development, water efficiency, energy efficiency, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, innovation and elements of regional priority.
The buildings have numerous sustainable features, including low-flow plumbing fixtures and energy-efficient systems. Compared to standard plumbing fixtures, the low-flow fixtures in the buildings are expected to reduce potable water usage by about 36 percent. The energy cost savings for the buildings is about 26 percent compared to buildings that just meet the standard building energy code.
Founders Hall and Innovation Hall are located within walking distance of many commonly used buildings on campus as well as downtown Elon. A site assessment was completed to inform the design process, and the site includes ample open space for outdoor seating and enjoyment. Building users can easily access Elon Express routes at the nearby bus stop. During construction, over 80 percent of the waste was recycled or reused, which kept it out of the landfill. Numerous products used in the facilities contain recycled content, such as steel, drywall and carpet, which reduces the need for virgin materials. Several of the furniture pieces contain recycled content as well.
The buildings provide 65,000 square feet of facilities for engineering and physics and serve as a hub for STEM. Founders Hall is a two-story building that includes several lab and student engagement spaces, and Innovation Hall is a three-story building with labs, classrooms and faculty offices.
Elon has a Green Building Policy, which states that new construction projects and major renovations more than 8,000 square feet will achieve LEED certification. Most of Elon’s projects have received LEED Silver; however, Elon now has a total of 11 LEED Gold certifications (4 of which are LEED for Homes) and 6 LEED for Homes Platinum certifications.
Additional details about Founders Hall and Innovation Hall’s sustainable features can be found on the Office of Sustainability’s website.