Built Environment

Lafayette is transforming its campus into a national model for sustainability by employing the tenants of green design and technologies into all aspects of its facilities, including new construction and renovation of existing structures.

We are the only college or university in the Lehigh Valley to have signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment, an initiative aimed at reducing greenhouses gasses. Since signing in 2008, the College has calculated its emission of greenhouse gases, completed a campus-wide energy audit, and developed a Climate Action Plan for reducing its carbon footprint.

New Construction

The Campus Energy Policy states that all new construction and major renovations will meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) silver standards for sustainability and green architecture.

Rockwell Integrated Sciences Center

The Rockwell Integrated Sciences Center will be one of the country’s most innovative collegiate science buildings. It will house scholars teaching and conducting research in biology, computer science, environmental science, and neuroscience, as well as the IDEAL Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

Campus Facilities Master Plan

The Campus Facilities Master Plan addresses sustainability topics such as restoring native plants, reducing the amount of turf on campus, eliminating roadways, and encouraging walking, biking and mass transportation.

A Green Building

The Grossman House for Global Perspectives achieved LEED-CI Gold certification for green building practices when it was completed in 2013. The residential facility features local and recycled materials, high performing building systems, energy saving fixtures, and many other sustainable technologies, including rainwater and greywater reuse systems.

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