New York University’s Wilf Hall has been award LEED Platinum certification, the highest possible LEED certification from the United States Green Building Council. Wilf Hall is one of just six new buildings in New York to receive LEED Platinum. NYU is committed to environmental stewardship; in addition to new green buildings and interiors, the university is powered by a super efficient CoGeneration power plant. While Wilf Hall is currently home to NYU’s law school, it was originally built to host the historic Provincetown Playhouse, which has been operating a theatrical program since the 1920s.
The building, located on MacDougal Street near Washington Square Park, was evaluated in five categories to achieve its coveted LEED Platinum certification. Starting from the ground up, Wilf Hall will encourage its employees and students to use green transportation, by conveniently building a bicycle storage unit on the first floor, complete with showers for those who work up a sweat by biking long distances. Large UV-coated glass lets in optimal daylight while blocking solar heat gain. The building was also designed with energy and water efficiency in mind, with lowflow plumbing and energy saving features.
One key element in designing Wilf Hall was creating proximity to nature for its visitors to enjoy. The second and sixth floors of the building have large open terraces that are lined with grasses and perennials. The terraces act as meeting areas for school groups, staff, and even for classes. The roof top is capped with two planted terraces. Beds of grasses, trees and ferns keep the building cool, as well as the students and faculty who take breaks up there. The ferns are an excellent natural rain-detoxifying system, filtering out pollutants and reducing rainwater runoff in the city’s sewers.
The eco-savvy Wilf Hall is home to the Provincetown Playhouse, NYU Law centers, admissions offices, and other programs.
+ New York University Law School
