From design to materials:
Johnson Hall of Science is LEED Gold Certified!.
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A Sampling of Sustainability Features:

Floor linoleum is completely biodegradable - manufactured with environmentally sustainable methods.

Led by sustainable design architects with Croxton Collaborative Associates, the Johnson Hall of Science meets LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification, a program initiated by the U.S. Green Building Council.  The building is designed to operate on approximately 30% less energy than a conventional building.  With a high-insulation envelope and roof, dimmable fluorescent lighting, intelligent occupancy sensors, heat recovery on ventilation exhaust, high-insulation glazing and maximizing of natural daytime lighting through its siting and orientation, Johnson Hall is the most energy-efficient building, on a per-square-foot basis, on campus.  It will, by example, change the future of all new and renovation design at St. Lawrence. 
                                                                        --Thomas W. Budd, Professor of Biology

A few of the building’s environmentally sustainable design features:

  • The landscape design is informed by water management strategy (a wetland for storm water runoff that several faculty are using the wetland for academic studies in their courses and research
    programs) and the creation, re-creation or preservation of on-site ecosystems.

  • The materials, systems and occupancy solutions selected for the project have been developed to enhance flexibility, durability and adaptive reuse potential.

  • The building is sited on a pure north/south solar axis to maximize deep day lighting.

  • The building incorporates “Sustainable Transition” design: future 100% renewable technology (biofuel and photovoltaic) incorporated into base building design.

  • The building plans feature passive/active solar design, energy-conserving technologies, efficient lighting strategies, and on-site renewable energy systems.

  • The building and site design incorporate strategies to conserve water resources.

  • Building materials contribute to occupant health; building durability; reduced maintenance requirements, transportation costs and life cycle environmental impact; construction waste reduction; and recycling and design strategies to promote recycling during occupancy.

  • The building plans promote a healthy and productive indoor environment in terms of day-lighting, ventilation, indoor air quality, view corridors and personal control systems.

  • The design approach to land use promotes open space for community.

  • Air-conditioning chillers are high efficiency evaporative cooling design - will save $25,000 per year operating energy and offer a pay back period of four to five years.

  • Lab casework wood finish is a flat line finish process - no VOC, dry wall joint compound has no silicates.

  • Carpet has 40% recycled component and is 100% recyclable - it will never end up in a land fill.

  • Stone masonry is of manufactured stone - it features better properties and required less labor.

  • Dimmable fluorescent lighting include occupancy monitors.

  • Room air exchanges are monitored according to occupancy and time of day and the week. Air exchange is adjusted to minimum during times when no one is in the room.

  • Gravity powers the drainage of water and waste instead of ejector pumps that are expensive in maintenance and operation.

  • Electric elevator instead of hydraulic piston - no future hazardous waste factor with hydraulic fluids.

  • Intelligent fume hoods with variable flow controls - not on full blast when not in use - will reduce heating /cooling loads.

Light (gray) lab bench tops (instead of black) that will reflect not absorb more light - reduce artificial lighting needs.