Muhlenberg College Receives LEED Silver for New Academic Building

ALLENTOWN, Pa. — The new 47,000-square-foot science building at Muhlenberg College received LEED silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, making it the first building on campus to be LEED-certified.

The building is expected to reduce operating costs and improve energy efficiency at the college due to an array of green features, such as low-flow toilets and faucets, energy enthalpy wheels as part of the HVAC system, low-emissivity windows, wood products certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, lab casework composed of agriboard, and low-VOC adhesives, paints and sealants. Building amenities include laboratories, classrooms and office space.

“Sustainability is very important to our students,” says Michael Brewer, director of plant operations for the college. “We are proud that we have achieved this national recognition for a new facility that will best serve the needs of our science students and faculty.”

Several programs will be housed in the building, including the life science program, green housekeeping program, which will help ensure the facility maintains its silver rating, and the educational outreach program, which uses television monitors to educate visitors about the facility’s green features.

Aramark provided commissioning services for the new building, helping to secure its silver certification level. The company worked with the architect and construction teams to ensure the facility complied with the college’s specifications and green goals.

“Green buildings are very popular as communities become increasingly concerned about their natural resources,” says Ron Mesaros, associate vice president of technical services for Aramark.

As part of the commissioning process, Aramark conducted tests to ensure the building operated at peak efficiency. The company also developed tools to help with facility maintenance, including an operating guide, troubleshooting guide and maintenance schedule.

School officials anticipate a return on investment for commissioning within two years of the facility’s operation, due to the building’s sustainable design and energy efficiencies.