Semans-Griswold Environmental Hall, Washington College
Semans-Griswold Environmental Hall, Washington College
Ayers Saint Gross
ARCHITECTS
Ayers Saint Gross
SIZE
10,000 sqft - 25,000 sqft
BUDGET
$10M - 50M
STATUS
Built
YEAR
2019
LOCATION
Chestertown, MD, United States
CATEGORY
Educational › University
Semans-Griswold Environmental Hall, home of Washington College’s Center for Environment and Society, commands a picturesque site on the Chester River.
The river is a living laboratory that provides students with an immersive experience in support of the building’s programs in environmental science and sustainability.
The building is designed to operate at net-positive energy and to meet the holistic standards of Living Building Challenge Petal Certification.
It is expected to produce 105 percent of its energy needs on-site utilizing rooftop photovoltaic solar panels and a ground-source geothermal heating and cooling system.
Freshwater piping systems bring river water directly into the building’s laboratories for scientific research.
Inspired by biophilic design, the building celebrates daylight with a south-facing rooftop clerestory, connections to the riverfront landscape, and outdoor porches and walkways.
Craft and detail are displayed in the building’s cedar siding, porches and screens, and exposed wood roof trusses inside and out.
