Ambler Johnston Hall LEED Gold certified, wins three design awards

The Ambler Johnston Hall renovation has received the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Gold certification, which brings the total of LEED-certified Virginia Tech facilities to eight.

In addition, Ambler Johnston Hall won three design awards. 

The building received first place at the Virginia’s Interior Design Excellence Awards with judges commenting on the welcoming space, interesting material mix, and continuity of design. Engineering News-Record gave the building an Award of Merit for the Mid-Atlantic region. Also, American School and University gave the building a Gold Citation with the jury saying, “remarkable job of transforming a 1960s dormitory into an inviting, comfortable residence hall with attractive public spaces.”

“Ambler Johnston is a residential college hall which is unique. It was important for the building design to foster a community environment,” said Patty Perillo, vice president for student affairs. “Chief among the philosophical underpinnings of the residential college approach is that learning can -- and does -- happen everywhere, not just in the classroom. We’re excited that our goal of providing an intentional living-learning space has received these distinctions.”

The building received LEED certification points for

• Water use reduction both inside and outside;
• Diversion of more than 75 percent of all construction waste from landfills;
• Use of regionally manufactured building material;
• Use of energy efficient lighting and interior temperature controls;
• Installation of 100 covered bicycle racks; and
• Use of low-emitting adhesives and sealants, paints and coatings, carpet, and composite wood.

“Ambler Johnston is a perfect example of how we plan to bring new life to some of the older buildings on campus,” said Sherwood Wilson, vice president for administration.

East Ambler Johnston re-opened in fall 2011 and is home to more than 300 University Honors students. West Ambler Johnston re-opened in fall 2012 and is home to more than 800 students. The wings of the 272,000-square-foot building are connected by three cross-over lounges. Originally constructed in 1969, Ambler Johnston is one of the largest residence halls on the East Coast.

The Virginia Tech Climate Action Commitment, which was reaffirmed in 2013, commits the university to reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050, to achieving a minimum LEED rating of silver for all new construction, to reaching a 50 percent recycling rate by 2020, and to improving energy efficiency where and whenever possible in campus buildings.

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