Washington University in St. Louis says its Sumers Recreation Center has received LEED Platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.
The center, which opened in 2016, achieved the Platinum certification through energy-saving design and performance. This includes a 37% reduction of water use and a 55% reduction of energy use and associated carbon emissions compared with a conventional building project. The building also has roofing materials that reduce the urban heat-island effect.
“Here at Washington University, we are abundantly aware of the environment’s impact on human health and wellness," Chancellor Andrew D. Martin says. "To that end, we have made a strong commitment to meet or exceed LEED Silver through our building projects. We’re proud that the Sumers Recreation Center, a building designed to enhance human health, has achieved the highest level of LEED certification.”
The project also recycled the majority of construction waste, used building products made from recycled materials — and even reused the wooden flooring from Francis Gymnasium. A solar panel array, installed on the roof of the building, will provide 22% of the building’s electricity from a carbon-free source. All of these measures added up a Platinum rating—the highest level of certification awarded by the Green Buildling council.
The rec center is the third Washington University building to attain LEED Platinum; the Lofts of Washington University was certified LEED Platinum in 2014, and Hillman Hall was certified LEED Platinum in 2016.
Additionally, all five new buildings that are part of the university's east end project have been designed to meet or exceed LEED Gold certification. Green building design on campus is part of the university’s sustainability master plan, which also aims to lower greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 via on-site energy efficiency and renewable energy.
Video from Washington University: Sumers Recreation Center
