University of Vermont Student Union Achieves LEED Gold

The University of Vermont has received a LEED Gold designation for its $70 million student union, the Dudley H. Davis Center in Burlington. The 220,000-sf facility broke ground in spring of 2005 and reached completion in August of 2007. The project is divided into two main building components: a four-level student union and a two-level, 600-seat performing arts theater. The student union features an atrium and includes a natural chimney that evacuates smoke, in the event of fire, without needing energy-intensive mechanical systems. The Davis Center uses 52 percent less energy than a conventional building and is the first student union in the United States to achieve LEED Gold. Sustainable design features include the use of lighting and occupancy sensors, a high performance building envelope, daylighting, heat recovery, and reduced water use. 63 percent of building materials were sourced within 500 miles of the site. WTW Architects of Pittsburgh, architect of record, partnered with TruexCullins & Partners of Burlington to design the project. The general contractor was William A. Berry & Son of Danvers, Mass.