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Columbia's Manhattanville Campus Earns LEED Platinum for Neighborhood Plan

May 24, 2012Bookmark and Share
A revitalized West 130th Street will provide access to an approximately one-acre public square that will add open space where none currently exists. (Image credit: Field Operations)

Columbia University’s environmentally sustainable design and overall project plan for its 17-acre Manhattanville campus in West Harlem has earned LEED® Platinum under the LEED for Neighborhood Development rating system established by the U.S. Green Building Council—its highest designation and the first LEED-ND Platinum certification in New York City, as well as the first Platinum certification for a university campus plan nationally.

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Scroll through the articles and videos below to see more highlights of Columbia's role as a leader in green initiatives. 
 

A look at the clean construction program in Manhattanville (4:45)
The Jerome L. Greene Science Building, home to the Mind Brain Behavior Initiative, is scheduled to open in 2015. (7:06)
 
Manhattanville in West Harlem
The U.S. Green Building Council chooses Columbia University's proposed Manhattanville expansion plan for a new "smart growth" pilot program. The plan was selected by USGBC because it commits to incorporating smart growth, new urbanism and green design principles. Acceptance to the program provides the University with the support and verification needed to play a pioneerism role as it works with the USGBC to help set the standard for furture urban planning.
Gary C. Comer Geochemistry Building Awarded LEED Silver
The 70,000 square-foot Gary C. Comer Geochemistry Building became the University's first project to earn the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification in January 2010, with a silver rating. The building utilizes an air conditioning system with high efficiency, natural ventilation and occupancy sensors, and provides parking spaces for fuel-efficient vehicles and car pools.
Faculty House Awarded LEED Gold
In April 2010, Faculty House on Morningside campus proves historic preservation and sustainability can be compatible when it is earns a gold LEED rating from the U.S. Green Building Council. The building receives 44 out of a possible 44 points for features that include: energy-efficient and water-conserving utilities, appliances, fixtures and insulation; a new HVAC system; recycled, low-emission furnishings, materials and finishes as well as locally made materials. 
Knox Hall Awarded LEED Gold
With the installation of four geothermal wells and a complete interior renovation, Knox Hall became the third Columbia University building to receive Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification in February 2011. Knox Hall—a 50,000 square foot, seven-story structure—is a century-old building of landmark quality that was gutted to include the replacement of all windows with low-emissivity glass; post-consumer, recycled gypsum wallboard; and high-efficiency lighting that operates on motion sensors and timers. 
 

Green Salvage Program Provides Training for Local Workers. (4:27)
NYC Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg opens center at Columbia to promote the development of green building technologies. (17:50)
 
Alumni Center Awarded LEED Gold
A social center for almost 300,000 alumni, the Columbia Alumni Center is given LEED Gold Certification in January 2011. The building, which was built in 1908, was historically preserved through a top-to-bottom rehabilitation of its façade. Its interior utilizes lighting that adjusts to natural light, occupancy sensors that monitor motion and body temperature and recycled heating through the use of preheated air.
Studebaker 200 Level Renovation Certified LEED Silver
The interior fit out of the 200 level of the Studebaker building, a six story building at 615 West 131st Street that houses Columbia University administrative offices, was certified LEED Silver for Commercial Interiors in April 2011. Constructed in 1923 and renovated in 2007, the offices utilize water savings fixtures, Energy Star appliances, re-claimed furniture, low-VOC finishes and lighting controls.
Northwest Corner Building Achieves LEED Gold
In February 2012, the 188,000 square foot Northwest Corner Building was awarded LEED gold certification. The science and lab building, designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect José Rafael Moneo in collaboration with the architects at Madrid's Moneo Brock Studio and New York's Davis Brody Bond, is particularly noteworthy due to the large number of laboratories in the 14-story building—since laboratories typically consume a great deal of energy.
Manhattanville Expansion Proposal Selected for Environmentally Sustainable Neighborhood Design Pilot Program
While Columbia is a globally respected academic center, is it also a vital local New York institution, committed to the economic, intellectual, social and cultural vitality of our neighborhoods and city. In that spirit, together with our West Harlem neighbors, elected representatives, and civic leaders, Columbia has developed a plan for a mixed-use academic center that provides a long-term future of shared opportunity in the old Manhattanville manufacturing zone.

 

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Multimedia

Artworks by contemporary Cambodian artists, including survivors of the Khmer Rouge genocide, are on display at Columbia’s Maison Française and Italian Academy.

Milestones

Four Columbia faculty were awarded Sloan Research Fellowships by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. They are Mark Churchland, assistant professor of neuroscience; Wei Min, assistant professor of chemistry; Simha Sethumadhavan, associate professor of computer science; and Wei Zhang, assistant professor of mathematics.

Alondra Nelson, associate professor of sociology, won the 2012 book award from the Association for Humanist Sociology for Body and Soul: The Black Panther Party and the Fight Against Medical Discrimination.

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