Project Description
The project is the second of three phases of the College’s housing master plan – “the Residential Life Project” – its green blueprint for environmentally responsible development. When Phase I was constructed back in 2007, the residential complex made history by becoming the first higher education student housing project in the country to receive the USGBC’s LEED Gold designation. Now, on Phase Two, both client and design team set the sustainable bar a notch higher to achieve LEED NC Platinum certification, the USGBC’s highest designation. This newest addition to the student village was designed with more than 40 sustainable features and best design practices – ranging from green roofs and drought tolerant living walls to high capacity graywater system that recycles enough water to provide irrigation for all Phase II landscaping year-round.
With the completion of the mixed-use residential halls that house over 300 students, Pitzer College is not only one step closer to becoming the first college to have all gold or higher LEED-certified residence halls but also achieving its goal of housing 93 percent of its student population. With a wide selection of amenities, the village-like atmosphere encourages students to live all four years on campus, reducing their carbon footprint through less driving and fuel consumption. This lifestyle supports the College’s environmental commitment by encouraging local lifestyles. The LEED Platinum residences are also appealing to Pitzer students who place a high value on sustainablility.