The 65,500 square feet facility, which opened in August 2009, achieved all 42 LEED NC 2.2 credits originally sought at the outset of the building’s design. The facility has used many sustainable design and construction features, which includes use of low-flow plumbing fixtures which reduces water consumption by 45%; landscape design to minimize grassed lawns, employing an irrigation system with new control technology and drip irrigation, techniques to reduce irrigation water consumption by 58%; and showers in the building to promote bicycle commuting to the building.
The building is located on a previously-developed campus site within a one-half-mile radius of several amenities such as banking, restaurants, laundry and public transportation routes. 31% of the building materials were manufactured within a 500-mile radius, thereby reducing the impact of transportation of building materials to the job site. A variety of materials, made from both rapidly renewable materials and pre- and post-consumer recycled content, were used throughout the building, including structural steel, insulation, bamboo and cork flooring, carpeting, ceiling tiles, concrete, and gypsum drywall.
Geddes Hall is the first building to be LEED certified at Notre Dame. USGBC is reviewing Ryan Hall, Stinson-Remick Hall, Purcell Pavilion and Innovation Park at Notre Dame for LEED certification.
The new ice arena facilities, the Stayer Center for Executive Education, and new facilities for the Alliance for Catholic Education are currently being designed and will seek LEED certification.
