The university will be awarded a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), a coalition of building industry leaders working to promote environmentally safe places to live and work. Projects are evaluated on several categories, including water efficiency and indoor environmental quality. Carnegie Mellon's 71,400-square-foot "green building'' offers its 255 undergraduate residents a variety of environmentally-friendly ammenities ranging from a sophisticated air ventilation system to specially-designed high efficiency washing machines to conserve water use.
"The carpeting was specifically made for Carnegie Mellon from recycled yarn,'' said Tim Michael, director of housing services. The New House residence hall, completed this spring, also sports lighting activated by motion sensors to reduce energy consumption and 18-inch exterior walls for improved insulation.
The Carnegie Mellon residence hall also will be part of a tour late next week by members of the 2003 U.S. Green Building Council's International Conference and Expo meeting in Pittsburgh. The conference features speakers and reports about "green building'' like the recent report by California's Sustainable Building Task Force which found an initial investment of up to $100,000 in green building design for a $5 million project can save $1 million in construction costs. To date, 75 LEED certifications have been allocated nationwide or an average of four to five a month, according to Theresa Peyton, a USGBC spokesperson.
WHEN: Monday, Nov. 10, 2 to 3 p.m.
WHERE: Carnegie Mellon University, New House Dorm, 1030 Moorewood Ave., Pittsburgh, Pa..