A formal groundbreaking ceremony was held on May 25 for the college’s new Gateway Building. Intended to serve as an attractive entry to the campus, the building will house offices for enrollment planning, human resources and graduate studies as well as senior administrative offices. In keeping with the college’s sustainability commitment, the facility was designed by HOLT Architects to achieve at least LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.
The 58,000-square-foot building is being built just north of Dillingham Center, to which it will be attached by an enclosed second-story bridgeway. It will feature a large atrium overlooking Cayuga Lake and a multipurpose auditorium for admissions presentations to prospective students and their families.
Taking part in the groundbreaking were (left to right in photo) Bob O’Brien, principal, HOLT Architects; Mike Dehmler, president, Christa Construction; Larry Metzger, dean of enrollment planning; President Peggy R. Williams; and Carl Sgrecci, vice president for finance and administration.
“The Gateway Building will provide prospective students and other visitors with an exciting first impression of Ithaca College—it will be the portal through which the campus experience begins,” said Sgrecci. “By consolidating enrollment-related services in a single location, including the offices of the bursar and registrar along with financial aid, we can provide a ‘one-stop shopping’ experience to better serve our students.”
Over 50% of the building’s energy will come from renewable sources, with a geothermal system using the Earth’s relatively consistent temperature to provide heating and cooling. Other sustainable features of the building will include:
• Nearly 6,500 square feet of vegetated roof area to replace land taken by the building, reducing airborne pollutants and adding oxygen to the air.
• Natural convection ventilation that will pre-cool the atrium at the start of each day by drawing cooler night air across a shade garden on the north side of the building and relieving it out the light monitor four stories above.
• Sensors that will control light fixtures and mechanical ventilation based on natural light levels and occupancy to reduce their use and conserve electricity.
• A 12,000-gallon tank below the garden that will collect rainwater from the roof, serving over 85% of the building’s yearly water needs.
The Gateway Building will provide for the first substantial increase in administrative office space at the college in nearly 20 years. Some of the operations moving to the new facility are currently housed in temporary quarters or in scattered locations around the campus.
Construction of the $21.5 million building is being financed through low-interest bonds sold through the Tompkins County Industrial Development Agency. It is anticipated that it will be ready for occupancy in the fall of 2008.
