Emory has a long-standing commitment to sustainability and is among the top 25 most sustainable research universities in the nation, according to the AASHE’s Sustainability Tracking and Rating System. Emory was an early adopter of LEED and to date has over 3 million gross square feet of LEED certified University and healthcare buildings. At its core, sustainability is about meeting the needs of today without compromising the opportunities of tomorrow. Emory University believes in the potential of every member of the community and that is why they strive to serve as a model of transformative practice and sustainable choices at every level. 

Design for the Emory Student Center was inspired by a desire to create a ‘new heart’ at the crossroads of multiple university pathways. The strategy of subdividing the project’s large program into smaller ‘pavilions on a hill’ increases transparency, intensifies interaction, and creates a diversity of place-making at the core of the campus. From the earliest discussions, Emory Students were encouraged to have a voice in imagining their new center and that engagement is reflected throughout the facility. From the overall vibrant aesthetic to the functionality of each design detail to state-of- the art technological resources. The Emory Student Center epitomizes collaborative design, innovation and functionality.

Achieving LEED Platinum certification reflects Emory University’s dedication to improving environmental standards for resilient and sustainable architecture. Emory continues to build upon a long history of protecting greenspace and biodiversity, conserving resources, educating students, and innovating in actions supporting sustainability. At 117,000 square feet, the Emory Student Center is almost twice the size of its predecessor while also earning the university’s first U.S. Green Building Council LEED Platinum certification.  

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Click here to view the press release.