A green building milestone
Ask one of the millions of tourists who flock to Harvard Yard each year to describe the University’s campus, and chances are you’ll hear the word “historic.” In the world of green construction, however, Harvard’s storied old buildings are positively cutting edge. That’s in no small part due to the University’s commitment to building and renovating with an eye toward sustainability, a goal driven home by a recent milestone. As of this week, Harvard became the first higher education institution to complete 50 Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certifications for construction projects around campus, a process 10 years in the making. The 50 projects represent a broad commitment to the Green Building Standards that Harvard adopted in 2009. The University’s green building projects cover 1.5 million square feet, with another 3 million in the works. (That dedication also runs deep. The geothermal wells that help heat and cool Byerly Hall...