Syska Hennessy's 175,000 s/f Cooper Union project awarded LEED Platinum certification

According to Syska Hennessy Group, their project, the Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, was awarded LEED Platinum certification, established by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI). Additionally, it was marked with the honor of being one of the first academic buildings in the city to achieve LEED Platinum status. The school wanted the new space to help position its academic programs for the future, to renew its urban campus, and to revitalize the community centered on 41 Cooper Sq., establishing a sustainable financial infrastructure for the institution. The result is a new, nine-story, 175,000 s/f building, on Third Ave. which facilitates teaching and learning with greater comfort, through its energy efficient and environmentally friendly design. The structure houses space for academic laboratories, studios, classrooms, science, research, and public spaces. As the engineer of record, Syska Hennessy provided MEP, sustainable, fire protection, audio visual, IT, security and cogeneration design services that support the bold and iconic architecture of Pritzker-Prize-winning architect, Thomas Mayne of Morphosis Architecture. A collaborative approach was crucial because of the complexity of the building and its need to be multi-functional within limited space which had stringent requirements. Sergiu Pelau, PE, LEED AP and Syska Hennessy project manager said "New high performance campus architecture could be realized only because Cooper Union, its architects, engineers and builders designed and constructed the project as an integrated team." To support Cooper Union's rigorous requirement for a sustainable and energy efficient building, innovative engineering applications were designed by Syska Hennessy, including: * Radiant heating and cooling ceiling panels, as well as radiant heating and cooling floors on the lower levels, modulate the building temperature and increase occupant comfort. * A double-wall, operable façade made of a perforated exterior metal skin, which controls the level of daylight and glare, and acts a barrier for the heat gain entering the building. * Airside heat recovery, variable air volume (VAV) systems with integrated controls for demand-controlled ventilation, and high efficiency, VAV fume hoods. * A green roof and a storm water collection system, which manages storm run-off and pollutants, ensures that no potable water is used for irrigation and provides water for toilet fixtures on the lower floors. * Building Management System (BMS) controls all mechanical equipment and lighting systems thorough integrated controls and occupancy sensors * A Measurement and Verification System, which automatically tracks the major utilities (gas, water, electricity) throughout the course of the year and compares the energy savings with the energy model developed for the building. In addition to the sustainable MEP design, Syska Hennessy's Technology Group provided audio visual design, security and IT services. In coordination with Cooper Union and architect, they developed a standardized "smart classroom" infrastructure, and state-of-the-art electronic access and IP video systems to control multiple access points for the building. "With each new LEED-certified building, we get one step closer to USGBC's vision of a sustainable built environment within a generation," said Rick Fedrizzi, president, and CEO & founding chair, of the USGBC. "As the newest member of the LEED family of green buildings, the Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science & Art is an important addition to the growing strength of the green building movement." Syska Hennessy Group, Inc. (www.syska.com) is a global leader in consulting, engineering and commissioning. The firm has helped engineer some of the world's most innovative, technically sophisticated, and energy efficient buildings. Clients include leading corporations, fast-growing and high-tech companies, educational institutions, architectural and interior designers and commercial developers, as well as state, local and federal government agencies. With offices in 14 locations throughout the U.S., as well as an office in China, and projects around the world, Syska Hennessy Group's market specific solutions are based on local knowledge and access, supported by global staff resources and specialized expertise.