Green Elements

Goucher College aspires to be a “green” campus, and it has been incorporating sustainable design principles into its facilities planning for some time.

The Athenaeum is Silver certified according to the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green-Building Rating System, and it employs the following energy-saving design features—most of which are invisible to visitors:

• The exterior of the library is constructed using high-performance glass, allowing daylight in and providing expansive views while reducing the amount of heat gain in the building.
• Green roofs are employed in two places to further reduce heat gain and alleviate stormwater runoff.
• Recycled building materials were used throughout the building, including construction materials, carpeting, and previously used furniture.
• Additionally, 50 percent of all construction debris was recycled.
• Low volatile organic compound (VOC) adhesives and sealants were used throughout the building’s interior.
• LED and fluorescent lighting are used inside the building to reduce electricity use.
• HVAC and lighting are controlled by system zoning to maximize efficiency and effectiveness.
• Energy conservation features include solar water heating, light-activated motorized window shades, insulated glass, motion sensors for lighting, displacement ventilation, and high-efficient mechanical systems.
• Water conservation features include dual-flush toilets, waterless urinals, water-efficient landscaping, and motion-activated faucets.
• Additionally, a rain garden planted with shrubs, trees, and herbaceous vegetation helps control the stormwater runoff and acts as a natural filter system against pollutants.
• Bike racks, showers, and changing areas, as well as nearby access to bus routes, facilitate the use of alternative modes of transportation.
• Existing wetlands and forests surrounding the Athenaeum were conserved during the building’s construction and delivery.