Construction projects have been a fact of life at Notre Dame for as long as anyone can remember, but the campus buildings currently in design and construction are a bit out of the ordinary. The Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center will use 20% less energy than a typical building its size. At least half of the wood used in the first building in Innovation Park will be certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. Even the construction process has changed: at least half of all construction waste is recycled and extensive testing of the building systems will help ensure that they will perform as intended.
These design and construction measures and many others are expected to result in LEED certification for Stinson Remick Hall, Geddes Hall, the new women’s residence hall, the Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center, and the first building in Innovation Park according to Doug Marsh, Notre Dame’s University Architect. LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is the most recognized green building standard in the United States.
“In some ways, we have been practicing sustainable design for many years by employing highly durable building materials such as slate roofing, brick, and stone as well as interior products made from recycled content such as carpet and ceiling tile,” said Marsh. “But these new buildings have also been designed to incorporate things like occupancy lighting sensors, low flow plumbing fixtures, showers to encourage bicycle commuters, and preferred parking for fuel-efficient and low emission vehicles.”