Project Description
Central Michigan University’s Graduate Student Housing is one of the first University-owned student housing facilities in the country to be awarded LEED Platinum certification by the USGBC.
Neumann/Smith designed the two new residence halls to offer state-of-the-art apartment-style housing options specifically tailored to the needs of CMU’s graduate students, who often opt to live off campus. The three-story buildings provide 164 beds in one-bedroom/one-bath, two-bedroom/one-bath, and four-bedroom/two-bath configurations, all with full kitchens, in-suite laundry, and individual suite climate controls. The buildings also include common lounge/lobby spaces, meeting rooms, and a fitness center.
The project achieved 82.5 points in the LEED for Homes certification, surpassing the required points for Platinum certification. The project was evaluated for innovation and design process, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, sustainable sites, and indoor environmental quality.
LEED Facts:
Reduced energy consumption by 36%
Wall insulation exceeds code requirements by 73%
Roof insulation code requirements exceeded by 29%
Reduced indoor water use by installing high efficiency fixtures
Irrigation demand reduced by 41%
Storm water reduced by using permeable pavement and creating a rain garden
Ensured good energy performance by third-party inspecting and testing the construction of the building envelope and duct work
81% of construction waste diverted from landfill
Installed environmentally preferable products
Enhanced the indoor environment by conducting a pre-occupancy building contaminant cleanse