Building a Sustainable Future
With the ultimate goal of becoming a net-zero emissions campus, where human-generated greenhouse gases are negated by reducing emissions, Williams is focusing on sustainable buildings. This is no small feat: Buildings occupy more than 3 million square feet of campus, and heating those tops the list of energy use. Yet measures have been in place since 2003, when Williams adopted a LEED Certification policy to ensure that new campus buildings meet stringent environmental and sustainability requirements. Practices have continued to evolve since then, from the green building guidelines adopted in 2011 to the sustainability goals built into the college’s 2021 Strategic Plan. One result: In 2020-21, greenhouse gas emissions were 36% lower than they were in 1990-91.
In June, Williams’ Board of Trustees approved an updated Sustainable Building Policy, ensuring that environmental goals will inform the design of and materials used for buildings, including the in-progress Davis Center, a new Williams College Museum of Art and a Multipurpose Recreation Center. Here are the campus buildings that have already received distinctive certifications for their sustainability.
HOLLANDER HALL (2008)
LEED Gold
SCHAPIRO HALL (2008)
LEED Gold
SAWYER LIBRARY (2014)
LEED Gold
WESTON ATHLETIC COMPLEX (2014)
LEED Gold
CLASS OF 1966
ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER (2015)
LBC Petal Certification
WESTON HALL (2016)
LEED Gold
HORN HALL (2016)
LEED Platinum
WILLIAMS BOOKSTORE (2017)
LEED Platinum
GARFIELD HOUSE (2019)
LEED Gold / Passive House
WILLIAMS INN (2019)
LEED Gold
FELLOWS HALL (2019)
(Center for Development Economics)*
ILFI Zero Energy
SAINT ANTHONY HALL (2019)
(Center for Development Economics)*
LEED Gold
HOPPER SCIENCE CENTER (2018)
LEED Platinum
WACHENHEIM SCIENCE CENTER* (2021)
LEED Platinum / International Interior Design
Association’s Humanity of Design Award
FORT BRADSHAW (2021)
LEED Gold / LBC Petal Certification
*recent certification
LEED Gold:
Based on a point system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards recognize buildings that incorporate green building strategies and reduce energy demands.
LEED Platinum:
The highest certification level based on LEED standards.
Living Building Challenge (LBC) Petal Certification:
Meets the standards of the International Living Future Institute’s (ILFI) seven performance categories (place, water, energy, materials, equity, beauty, and health and happiness).
ILFI Zero Energy:
The highest level of achievement verifies that clean energy is harnessed from the sun, wind and earth to meet net energy demands.
Passive House:
Adheres to the Passive House Institute’s requirements for energy efficiency and comfort.