Cornell University Cornell Sustainable Campus

The Alice H. Cook House opened in 2004 and was approved as LEED™ certified on May 29, 2005 by the U.S. Green Building Council. Achievement of the rating is significant; despite broad-based interest throughout the design and construction community in green practices, Cornell's project was only the sixth project certified state-wide, and the first in New York State by a university. Although formal LEED™ Certification will not be sought for the remaining buildings, they will be built using many of the same green standards as the Alice H. Cook House.

Beneficial Impacts of Program:

• Waste Management: 50% of all waste generated by demolishing the old dormitory was diverted from the landfill.
• Materials Used: Recycled steel; locally manufactured carpet, tile, and doors; and wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council were used in the construction of the Cook House.
• Green Housekeeping: Campus Life's unique Green Housekeeping program promotes effective use of less toxic chemicals by the building care professionals
• Energy: Natural light reduces energy needs and connects people to the outdoors. Chilled water from Lake Source Cooling reduces cooling energy almost 90% over conventional systems and requires no ozone-depleting refrigerants.
• Landscaping: Native plants were used in landscaping, eliminating the need for routine irrigation and restoring native habitats.
• Indoor Environmental Quality: Building materials, components, sealants, adhesives, paints, and carpets were chosen which had very low levels of volatile compounds, formaldehyde, and similar air contaminants, sparing factory workers, wholesalers, construction crews, and future tenants from the effects of these potentially-harmful materials.
• Green Roofs: Plants and grasses are grown on the roof to maximize space, provide insulation, reduce water run-off, and reduce renovation costs by protecting the building from the effects of weather. While the size of the green roof was not enough to earn LEED™ points, the installation of a green roof provides an important demonstration of this specialized green roof design for the campus.
• Alternative Transportation: Indoor bike storage was provided to encourage alternatives to road-jamming automobile transport and the Cook House is located within ¼ mile of two bus stops, each servicing two bus lines.
• Stormwater Management: Stormwater runoff was controlled during the work to prevent sediment loss to the storm sewer. In addition, total stormwater runoff from the finished site will be reduced from prior conditions 9-15% - a significant level, but not enough to earn a LEED™ point in this category. To receive LEED™ points, a 25% reduction is required.

For more information, contact Steve Beyers P.E., the ECOS Services Team Leader and a LEED™ Accredited Professional, at smb75@cornell.edu .