Morris Adjmi Architects designs Wilf Hall: $33 million project being considered for LEED Platinum certification from USGBC

Wilf Hall, the newly completed NYU Law building, is being considered for LEED Platinum certification by the U.S. Green Building Council, according to Morris Adjmi Architects, the architect and designer of the $33 million project. Wilf Hall houses several NYU Law centers and institutes as well as the Provincetown Playhouse. Morris Adjmi worked with sustainability consulting firm Kinetix (business ecology) to submit the building for LEED Platinum certification from the USGBC. More than 50% of Wilf Hall's footprint is covered by a green roof that has been planted with local species of grasses and ferns, creating new habitats for local birds and insects and reducing heat island effect as well as regulating the building's temperature, thereby reducing energy use. The green roof also helps filter pollutants from rainwater and reduces runoff into the city's sewers by naturally absorbing it back into the soil. Terraces on the second and sixth floor feature walking paths enclosed by creeping perennials and grasses. The building's energy cost savings is 44% above the baseline industry standard. Its energy envelope design prevents air leakage and reduces heat loss compared to conventional buildings, leading to reduced heating and cooling bills. Additionally, 70% of the energy used in the building is offset by renewable sources such as wind, hydro and biomass through purchased green power certificates. A number of additional environmental attributes were also incorporated into the construction of Wilf Hall, with more than 96% of construction and demolition waste diverted from landfill and recycled materials. In addition, all wood products used on the project were sustainably harvested in accordance with the Forestry Stewardship Council. "Morris Adjmi Architects has designed numerous green buildings over the years, including 22 Washington Sq. North and 16 West 21st Street in Manhattan," said Morris Adjmi, founder and principal of Morris Adjmi Architects. "We are especially proud that our environmental work for Wilf Hall has resulted in the building being considered for LEED Platinum certification." Originally built in the 1830s, 22 Washington Sq. North has also been completely restored and renovated by Morris Adjmi Architects to serve the needs of the New York University School of Law. The building, which is currently pursuing LEED Silver certification, includes an interior courtyard with a new green wall system created to bring natural light and greenery down to each floor. All of the offices in the building face outdoors and enjoy views of either the park to the south, the greenery draped courtyard or private lane to the north. Project team members for the project include: Skanska as the general contractor, Robert Silman Associates as the structural engineer, FMC Engineering as the mechanical engineer, Mathews Nielsen as the landscape architect, RS Lighting Design as the lighting designer, Langan as the environmental/civil engineer, Frank Seta & Associates as the façade and waterproofing consultant, and Robert Lorelli Associates as the theater consultant.