New building at George Washington University certified LEED platinum

George Washington University’s new Milken Institute School of Public Health has garnered the highest honor for its sustainability features.

The U.S. Green Building Council awarded the $75 million facility a platinum rating under the council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program, the university recently announced. It is the only building on campus to earn that distinction, which is the highest possible LEED rating.

The 115,000-square-foot, nine-story building features a green roof and uses low-flow plumbing, a rainwater collection system, a lighting-control system and a heating and air conditioning system that incorporates green technologies like active chilled beams and mass air displacement, according to a university press release. Native and adaptive plants that require little water were incorporated into the landscaping.

The building, which opened in May, is also designed to encourage active lifestyles. Some of those features include a central staircase, a yoga studio, bike racks, standing desks and a location that supports commuting.

“This building represents a major milestone in the history of Milken Institute SPH,” Lynn R. Goldman, the school’s dean, said in the release. “The achievement of LEED Platinum status demonstrates our commitment to building a high-performance green building, one that helps promote a healthier workplace and goes toward sustaining the environment.”

The design and construction team consisted of Boston-based Payette Architects and D.C-based Ayers Saint Gross, Affiliated Engineers, Wiles Mensch Corporation, Paladino and Company and the Whiting-Turner construction company.