These apartment-style residences are set back from the street for privacy, creating a quiet, comfortable environment for relaxation, wellness and sleep. Each apartment shares amenities, including a front porch, lounges, study rooms and game rooms. Natural sunlight, visual connection to the outdoors and red-list-free finishes enhance the student experience. This building has been awarded LEED Gold certification.

Sustainable Sites & Local Transportation

• In order to construct this building, a 1950’s building apartment building was abated and demolished. As part of this process, CMU donated more than 4,000 items for resuse, including doors, light fixtures, furniture, appliances and casework, to a variety of local nonprofit organizations.
• A green roof is located above the first-floor main lobby, helping to mitigate stormwater.
• Following the streetscape established at the Tepper Quad, this project adds stormwater landscape buffers between Forbes Avenue and the sidewalk to further separate pedestrians from vehicle traffic.
• Dedicated, secure bike parking is provided in the parking garage, along with a shower, to assist those commuting by bicycle.
• Two electric vehicle charging spaces were included in the 20-space parking lot.

Water Efficiency and Energy & Atmosphere

• The building uses 29.41% less water than other similar buildings.
• The landscaping for the building uses native drought-resistant plants and has no long-term irrigation system.
• Overall, the building uses 24% less energy than a conventional building of the similar size and use (calculated by energy cost).
• All energy use is 100% offset by the purchase of renewable energy credits across the university.
• The building design includes passive elements, such as efficient exterior envelope and glazing, and exterior solar shading.

Materials & Resources

• All LED lighting was installed in the building to avoid the use of mercury-containing light fixtures.
• The building achieved a LEED innovation point for CMU’s green cleaning policy and integrated pest management systems.
• 28% of construction materials were sourced locally, reducing the carbon footprint of the building construction.
• Waste created during the construction of the building was either recycled or salvaged, diverting 80% of the construction waste from the landfill.
• Materials used in the building were carefully selected to feature materials that use recycled content – 30% of building materials include pre- and/or post-consumer recycled content.

Indoor Environmental Quality and Innovation

• Occupant control of interior space temperature allows users to ensure thermal comfort.
• CO2 sensors trigger an automated system to cycle fresh air into the building.
• A healthy environment is maintained through the use of low-VOC and red-list-free finishes, a green cleaning program and comprehensive indoor air quality management.
• This facility incorporates a composting system for all residents’ use.
• The building was acknowledged as having beauty in design, in accordance with the WELL Features, Beauty and Design strategy.
• An education plan was developed to demonstrate and display the sustainable elements of the building.