Another GW residence hall has received the gold star of green buildings, another tangible sign of the university's commitment to sustainability. West Hall, on GW’s Mount Vernon Campus, is the second university building to earn Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification for its design and construction.
Earlier this year, South Hall, which is located at 2135 F St., NW, was the first university building in the District to earn LEED Gold certification.
“It is so gratifying to see that we’re able to deliver LEED Gold buildings by employing the best practices that have been incorporated into our new GW design standards,” said Nancy Giammatteo, director of facilities planning and design.
Among West Hall’s sustainable features are low-flow faucets, toilets and showers, which will reduce water usage in the building by about 50 percent. Native and adaptive plants were also chosen so that there would not be a need for a permanent irrigation system, further reducing potable water consumption.
Other sustainable installations include solar light tubes in the entry courtyard, which transport natural light to the bottom two floors, and Energy Star appliances, such as refrigerators, dishwashers and washing machines, which will use about 20 percent to 30 percent less energy. Low VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints and adhesives were used throughout the building, and 90 percent of the construction and demolition debris was diverted from landfills and either recycled or salvaged.
And in addition to providing covered bike storage for 15 percent of the residents and 5% of the visitors, two priority parking spaces have been reserved for low-emission and fuel-efficient vehicles.
The residence hall houses approximately 288 students and includes 62 suites, each with four individual bedrooms; communal study areas; laundry rooms and kitchens on each floor; eight handicapped-accessible suites; eight suites reserved for residential life staff and two apartments for faculty-in-residence.
West Hall also serves as a campus life center for the entire GW community. The bottom two floors of the building house student life amenities, including a fitness center, dining hall, dance studio, studio art room and two art galleries. There are also several meeting rooms, which can accommodate 10 to 100 people, music practice rooms and a black box theater. Students will also have access to a recording studio with a drum set, keyboard and other musical equipment.
Construction began on the residence hall in the summer of 2008 and finished earlier this year.
Director of GW’s Office of Sustainability Meghan Chapple-Brown, calls the gold rating for West Hall “a testament” to the integration of greener buildings and commitment to sustainability into GW’s operations and practices.
“The people on the design, construction, and now maintenance teams have provided GW students with a world-class building that incorporates sustainability into its design,” she says. “I congratulate them on this accomplishment.”