Yale’s Amistad Street Building has been awarded LEED Gold certification for its environmentally sustainable construction and features, the university has announced.
In addition to its green design, the building includes state-of-the-art research facilities. Completed in 2007 as an addition to the Yale School of Medicine, it houses the Interdepartmental Program in Vascular Biology and Therapeutics, the Yale Stem Cell Center and the Human and Translational Immunology Program.
“We were very pleased to receive the news that the project had achieved LEED Gold certification,” said Virginia Chapman, director of construction and renovation for the Yale School of Medicine. “Right from the outset the team was charged with incorporating green attributes in alignment with Yale’s sustainability strategy, which includes striving for outstanding environmental performance in the design, renovation and construction of its facilities.”
The 120,000 square foot, four-story building incorporates many green attributes ranging from its accessibility to transportation and the materials used in its construction, to its waste management and energy efficiency.
In addition to being served by public transportation, the building includes bike racks and showers to encourage employees to leave their cars at home. Much of the wood, metal and concrete used in the building’s construction were produced locally and selected for their high recycled content, and recycling of construction and demolition debris reduced the amount of waste that would normally have ended up in landfills by 70 percent. A lab waste recycling program has also been incorporated.
To reduce the amount of water used, storm water is collected from the roof and used in the ultra low-flow lavatories and dual flush water toilets throughout the building, as well as for irrigation. Even condensation from air handling units is collected, cutting potable water usage by 80 percent.
Energy efficient light bulbs, occupancy sensors and light fixtures that bounce light off of highly reflective ceilings all help cut operating costs while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
