E.W. Howell 35,000 s/f college center proj. earns LEED Gold certification

E.W. Howell was notified that the Howell-built Manhattanville College Student Center for the Creative Arts has received LEED Gold certification. Completed in March of 2008, the 35,000 s/f building is the third built by Howell to receive LEED certification, and the first to earn the Gold designation. The Student Center is the tenth LEED Gold building to be constructed in NYS under Version 2.1. "The exacting standards of LEED Gold certification must be met throughout the design and construction process," said E.W. Howell president Howard Rowland. "A high level of expertise, careful attention to detail and scrupulous oversight of the building process is essential to meet these prerequisites. The construction phase is the realization of the architect's vision and is what ultimately determines the LEED certification." Achieving LEED certification required the design team and E.W. Howell to consider LEED-specific requirements, options and documentation. Designed by Peter Gisolfi Associates, the Manhattanville project utilizes environmentally sustainable building materials and innovative construction strategies that conserve the center's overall energy and water use and reduce its operational costs. During construction E.W. Howell was able to divert 94% of all wastes from landfill disposal, utilized 18% recycled products and purchased 23.2% of project materials from regional sources. 52% of the wood used came from certified forests, and low VOC paints, adhesives and sealants, as well as Green Label plus carpeting were also used. Solar collectors generate 13% of the building's electricity. Five projects currently being built by E.W. Howell have been registered with the USGBC with a certification goal of LEED silver or higher, including the 43,000 s/f Advanced Energy Research Laboratory on the SUNY Stony Brook campus. Designed to achieve platinum certification, the state-of-the-art facility will conduct research on alternative fuels and energy conservation. "LEED certified buildings typically use resources more efficiently and provide healthier work and living environments, which contributes to higher productivity and improved health and comfort of those who work in and otherwise use the buildings," said Rowland. Having earned a reputation for expertise, integrity and reliability over the course of more than 100 years in the business, E.W. Howell is one of the most respected construction firms working in the New York metropolitan region. With offices in Manhattan and on Long Island, E.W. Howell has a distinguished history of diverse, quality projects and satisfied customers in N.Y.C.'s five boroughs, Long Island, northern New Jersey, the lower Hudson Valley and southern Connecticut. For more information visit www.ewhowell.com.