Wake Forest’s Welcome Center & Admissions building, completed in March, has been awarded the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) gold certification.
“We’re now three for three in terms of new buildings that have set a goal to earn LEED silver and actually achieved a higher level,” said Jim Alty, associate vice president for facilities and campus services. “The University is committed to sustainable design and building practices in all of its future buildings.”
Sustainable design features of the 23,000-square-foot building include high-efficiency mechanical systems and natural light in most spaces to reduce reliance on artificial light. Nearly 90 percent of waste generated during construction was diverted from the landfill for recycling and reuse.
More than 30 percent of the construction materials were regionally sourced.
Recycled material included the copper used for the roof and historic chandeliers originally hung in Reynolda Hall and Z. Smith Reynolds Library modified to use LED and compact fluorescent bulbs.
“Everything from the selection of local furniture manufacturers to the use of recycled materials signals to students that Wake Forest is aware of environmental issues,” said Wake Forest Dean of Admissions Martha Allman.
Lambert Architecture + Interiors designed the building.
Five key areas are measured by the U.S. Green Building Council to determine certification: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.
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