Kudos to ESF for pursuing a LEED Platinum rating for its planned gateway building. When finished, it will join several very sustainable buildings elsewhere on the Hill and neighboring SU campus. Included among these is the new Life Sciences Complex, which features advanced technology energy recovery and energy management systems, lighting control systems, healthy indoor air quality and lots of natural daylight, a stormwater management system, and materials with significant recycled material content.

In November 2005, Syracuse University committed to design and construct all new major projects to achieve LEED ratings. The design of the Life Sciences building started prior to that decision, and we judged that adopting the standard mid-way through the design process would have delayed the project’s completion.

Our first major project to pursue a LEED rating is the new headquarters for the Syracuse Center of Excellence in Environmental and Energy Systems. This facility, which is currently under construction, is on track to achieve a LEED Platinum rating. We are proud that all of the University’s current major projects are being designed and constructed to LEED standards and will obtain LEED ratings.

Eric L. Beattie

Director of Campus Planning, Design and Construction