Spring 2018 Edition
Alumni & Friends Magazine
LEEDing the way
When renovations to Ellis Hall are completed this year, the landmark鈥檚 iconic features will remain intact: the brick fa莽ade, the east portico, the giant, shady sycamore trees. But when students and faculty re-enter the grounds, close inspection will reveal new technology that complements the building鈥檚 venerable vibe, including LED lighting, low-flow toilets and sinks, and drought-tolerant trees and shrubs.
Mary Reed, BSJ 鈥�90, MA 鈥�93 | May 10, 2018
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Ellis Hall will join 10 OHIO Athens Campus buildings and one Chillicothe Campus building that are , or LEED, certified. are currently in process for LEED certification. The effort is part of OHIO鈥檚 2011 Sustainability Plan.
Ellis Hall renovations will be LEED-certified and completed this year. Photo by Kailee Slusser, BFA 鈥�16
鈥溙焯媚裣壬� has become a leader within the state on sustainability,鈥� says the Office of Sustainability鈥檚 Sam Crowl. The plan mandates that new building projects and renovations costing more than $2 million will be rated as LEED Silver certified or above. 鈥淥HIO was the first public institution in the state to hire a dedicated sustainability coordinator,鈥� says Crowl, sustainability project coordinator.
Some 鈥済reen鈥� elements that chalk points toward a LEED certification are visible on the Athens Campus鈥擳he Patton College鈥檚 McCracken Hall has a living green roof, and the Walter Fieldhouse sits by a bioswale, a feature that absorbs pollutants in rainwater draining from parking lots. Hidden components include Green Power, earned through the University鈥檚 purchase of renewable energy certificates, whereby half of the electricity purchased for campus use comes from wind power.
