Westminster Building Recognized for Environmental Design

NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. – The three-story laboratory addition to Westminster College’s Hoyt Science Center has been awarded Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design v4 certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

The 27-000-square-foot wing, completed in 2021, is Westminster’s first LEED-certified building and underscores the college’s commitment to environmental sustainability, according to a press release.

The LEED rating system was developed to assess and recognize buildings, homes and communities that are designed, constructed, maintained and operated for improved environmental and human-health performance.

According to the green council, LEED-certified buildings save money, improve efficiency, lower carbon emissions and create healthier places for people. To achieve LEED certification, a project earns credit points by adhering to prerequisites and credits that address carbon, energy, water, waste, transportation, materials, health and indoor environmental quality.

The $11.2 million Hoyt Science Center expansion, which concluded phase three of the Hoyt Renovation and Expansion Project, earned sustainable design credits for specific building goals that include light pollution reduction; enhanced review of the structure’s plans and construction; and installation of many windows and glass walls.

Designed by Cincinnati-based BHDP Architecture and built by Thomas Construction Inc. of Grove City, Pa. – with Karpinski Engineering serving as the building commissioner – the Hoyt Science Center addition is home to state-of-the-art teaching and research laboratories, offices and spaces for students and faculty to interact and collaborate.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.