2023

New Accolades for the Trailblazing Fahy Commons

The leading-edge building was recently honored with three major sustainability and green-building awards and certifications.

By: Kristine Yahna Todaro  Thursday, October 26, 2023 10:31 AM

On track to be the first Living Building Challenge Core-certified structure in the world, Fahy Commons collects rainwater, produces energy, provides a healthy indoor environment and promotes collaboration and engagement among campus members, alumni and the local and global community. Photo by Don Pearse/Muhlenberg College.

Update: On November 16, Fahy Commons received a fourth award: The top Architectural Excellence Committee on the Environment (COTE) Award from the American Institute of Architects Pennsylvania chapter. Chosen from 113 project entries, Fahy Commons was selected "as an embodiment of the AIA Framework for Design Excellence. ... All elements came together for a cohesive whole.” Watch the video announcement here.

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Last week, Muhlenberg's newest academic building, The Fahy Commons for Public Engagement and Innovation, was named the higher education winner of the international 2023 METROPOLIS Planet Positive Awards. (Watch the full awards program here.)

The awards recognize “the most creative projects and products from around the world that benefit people and planet, as well as firms and professionals leading the way to a better built environment…[They] represent the highest achievements today in design that addresses climate change, ecosystem health, human health and equity.”

_{Native plantings, earthworks and rain gardens curb stormwater and bolster natural beauty. A rainwater harvesting system and cistern recycle water for gray water use. Photo by Don Pearse/Muhlenberg College}

On October 12, Fahy Commons won the Sustainable New Development or Major Renovation category in the Green Building United 2023 Groundbreaker Awards.

The award program read, “Fahy Commons is the first building in the world to reach the ambitious goal of Living Building Challenge (LBC) Core Ready certification, incorporating myriad features that positively impact the local campus ecology while showcasing the College’s commitment to environmental stewardship and a vibrant and inclusive community. At the heart of Fahy Commons' design, energy efficiency achieved through efficient HVAC systems, cutting-edge lighting technologies and a super-insulated envelope reduces building energy use 70% over conventional structures. In addition, a 73 kW rooftop solar array generates renewable energy, contributing to the building's net-zero energy goals.”

_{Photo by Lisa Helfert/Muhlenberg College}

In addition, last summer Fahy Commons was named a LEED Platinum-certified structure by the U.S. Green Building Council. LEED is the most widely used green building rating system worldwide.

^{A student works in the new Makerspace, a center that embraces hands-on learning and a space for creativity and collaboration, regardless of major or technological background. Photo by Lisa Helfert/Muhlenberg College}

The three-story building, made possible through a generous gift by Gerald P. Fahy ’79 and Cathleen A. Fahy, facilitates connections among faculty, staff, students and the community. Re:Vision Architecture was the design team for the structure, which opened in January 2023. It features more than 20,000 square feet of student programming and academic space including the Office of Community Engagement, Innovation & Entrepreneurship Program's Makerspace, Institute of Public Opinion, Division of Graduate and Continuing Education, Religious & Spiritual Life and new art studios and classroom spaces.

_{Triple-glazed windows feature bird-friendly glass coating and the surrounding landscape offers a view of forest canopy and native meadows. Photo by Lisa Helfert/Muhlenberg College}