The Allbritton Center for the Study of Public Life, formerly the Davenport Campus Center, underwent a nine-month renovation project, which was completed in August 2009. The USGBC awarded the center LEED-Gold certification on March 15, 2010, honoring the sustainable measures implemented by Wesleyan throughout the scheme.

LEED points are awarded based on site selection, public transportation access, roofing materials, light pollution reduction, energy performance, refrigerant management, recyclable collection, building reuse, building materials, environmental and air quality, ventilation and other environmental factors. A basic LEED certification is awarded with a minimum of 26 points. The Allbritton Center received 43 points to earn a Gold rating.

During the construction phase, Wesleyan was able to divert 303.84 tons, or 83.5% of on-site generation construction waste from the landfill. Most waste was sent to receiving agencies to be recycled.

When rebuilding, 11% of the total building materials used were manufactured using recycled materials. In addition, almost 84% of the total wood-based building materials are harvested from forests certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.

Most material used in this project adheres to the US Environmental Protection Agency’s limits on volatile organic compounds (VOC). Composite wood and agri-fiber materials used on the project contain no added urea-formaldehyde. Paints and coating products comply with ‘Green Seal’ standards. Carpet and carpeted cushions comply with the Carpet and Rug Institute’s Green Label Plus Program, which ensures that customers are purchasing the lowest emitting carpet, adhesive and cushion products available on the market. The building also uses low-flush toilets resulting in a 46.4% water reduction. LEED also awarded the center points for its location close to bus lines and devoting two parking spaces for low-emitting and fuel efficient vehicles.

Unique to Allbritton is its mechanical system. All of the air delivered to the space is fresh air that passes through a heat recovery device that recovers the energy from the exhaust air.

The Allbritton Center was dedicated in September 2009. The original structure was completed 1904 and was redesigned in 1984 as Davenport Student Center. It ceased to be used as a student center in 2007 with the opening of the Usdan Center. The renovation of the building began soon after that.