American Institute of Architects calls Gateway Center “a striking symbol of environmental stewardship and climate action leadership.”
The American Institute of Architects has selected the Gateway Center at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry as one of the nation’s top 10 sustainable architecture and ecological design projects that protect and enhance the environment.
The designers, Perkins Eastman, also constructed the incredible barn transformation at Morrisville State College completed in 2012.
The Gateway Center, which formally opened in September 2013, is both a hub for campus activity and a teaching tool that demonstrates sustainability. In addition to a unique power plant, the building features a green roof that uses native plant species from eastern Lake Ontario dunes and alvar pavement barrens at the northeastern end of Lake Ontario.
The selection for this award was announced April 22, by the AIA and its Committee on the Environment and the College will be honored at the AIA 2014 National Convention and Design Exposition in Chicago.
“This LEED Platinum campus center meets ESF’s goal of reducing the overall carbon footprint of the campus through net positive renewable energy production, while creating a combined heat-and-power plant and intensive green roof that serve as hands-on teaching and research tools,” the AIA stated. “The double-ended bioclimatic form exemplifies passive solar design. Net positive energy systems integrated with the design serve four adjacent ESF buildings, providing 60 percent of annual campus heating needs and 20 percent of annual power needs.”
The Gateway Center, designed by Architerra of Boston, is the most recent honor in the Gateway Center’s portfolio:
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- Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certification, the highest level attainable under the rating system established by the U.S. Green Building Council
- 2014 Society for College and University Planning/American Institute of Architects – Committee on Architecture for Education Excellence in Architecture for a New Building Award
- 2014 Excelsior Award for Public Architecture Design Award for New Construction from the AIA New York State in collaboration with contracting agencies
- 2014 American Society of Landscape Architects, New York Chapter, Design Merit Award for the green roof
- 2013 American Institute of Architects New England Merit Award for Design Excellence
- 2013 Boston Society of Architects Sustainable Design Award [/custom_list]
The jury that reviewed this year’s AIA COTE submissions called the Gateway Center “a clear expression of the College of Environmental Science and Forestry’s academic mission to advance knowledge about the environment and best forestry practices.”
We agree–and it’s just another way SUNY impacts the world through an Energy Smart NY!
Wow it’s really great work by The American Institute of Architects.I think we should increase the number of another Gateway Center.
Wow what an impressive building. It really goes to show what can be achieved when innovative design, architecture and determination combine. A master piece is built. I think there is no denying that the climate is changing, drastically even and action does need to be taken to make changes. I think that when most people think of sustainable architecture, they think of a primitive and simple building but this example shows just how striking and modern the structures can be. However, do you think financially, it is quite expensive to invest in a sustainable property? Either way, this a fantastic step forward.