Sustainability Buildings

The new Science Center, with its inviting exterior, large and functional main commons, visible research labs, surrounding gardens, and many areas for casual interaction, performs at an unparalleled level of energy efficiency and contains a number of sustainability features including a green roof, rooftop solar, and rain gardens.

The Greenway residence halls utilize radiant and passive solar heating through a combination of exposed concrete slab floors and ceilings, southern exposure windows, and hydronic heating in the floors and walls. Rainwater is also harvested and pumped to 75 toilets throughout the residence hall buildings, which reduces potable water use by about 200,000 gallons/year.

The Lyceum is Amherst's first building designed with a goal of zero embodied carbon, with mass-timber framing and careful consideration of the carbon emissions associated with manufacturing and transporting materials. Solar photovoltaics and air-source heat pumps also make it one of the College’s most energy-efficient buildings and first all-electric building.

Repurposing the Merrill Science Building, which will form the ground and first floors of the new Student Center, will reduce the project’s overall carbon use. The remaining structure will be primarily made of technologically advanced wood construction—a low-carbon design strategy. The building will be all electric, including for dining operations!