Columbia Names Environmental Consultant for Proposed Expansion

New York, August 22, 2007—Columbia University has hired an environmental design consulting firm, Atelier Ten to work with the University to establish and implement environmental goals for the proposed expansion into the old manufacturing area of Manhattanville in West Harlem.

Atelier Ten will help Columbia set environmental performance goals for the proposed campus. In addition to assisting the University with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) consulting services, Atelier Ten will be developing strategies for management and conservation of energy and water, as well as maintaining high air quality, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Informed and sustainable environmental management is an essential part of Columbia's plans to integrate the campus with the surrounding West Harlem community.

The area where the University has proposed expanding consists primarily of four large blocks from 129th to 133rd Streets between Broadway and 12th Avenue, including the north side of 125th Street, as well as three properties on the east side of Broadway from 131st to 134th Streets.

"We are excited to have Atelier Ten as collaborative partners in the design and engineering of our proposed campus expansion," said Philip Pitruzzello, Columbia's vice president of Manhattanville development. "Their experience in and approach to delivering environmentally responsible and sustainable projects will help us ensure that any expansion is done in a way that protects and enhances the local environment."

Atelier Ten is currently working with the University's Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, for which the firm is already providing LEED consulting services. Atelier Ten has also consulted for several higher education projects throughout the United States, notably Yale University, for whom it has consulted on several laboratory, classroom, and studio arts buildings and also on sustainable design and construction guidelines. Atelier Ten is also assisting Harvard University with sustainable goals for its Allston campus expansion.

To learn more about Columbia's Environmental Stewardship programs, visit www.environment.columbia.edu. The Environmental Stewardship Office encourages your involvement, and your questions and comments, which may be e-mailed directly to [email protected].

This article originally appeared on the Columbia Manhattanville website.