Denison University’s Bryant Arts Center has been recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council with its prestigious Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification.

The 105-year-old building, which was originally constructed as a gymnasium named Cleveland Hall, underwent a $14 million three-year renovation and reopened in fall 2009 as the Bryant Arts Center.

During the design and construction phases, faculty and staff offered feedback to ensure that the Bryant Arts Center would meet Denison’s high standards for teaching, research, independent artistry, and exhibition. At the same time, a team of architects, engineers, and contractors worked together to choose designs, materials, and methods that meet LEED guidelines. Green highlights of this building include the re-use of original materials, efficient plumbing, reduced light pollution, and a state-of-the-art system to measure energy consumption.

Denison’s institutional policy is to conduct all major renovation and new building projects according to LEED construction guidelines. In recent years, the college also established the Task Force on Institutional Environmental Policy and created a new position, campus sustainability coordinator, held by Jeremy King ’97, in the President’s Office. On Earth Day this year, Denison President Dale Knobel signed the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment, a pact that further builds on the college’s dedication to sustainability.

In the objective measurements calculated by the U.S. Green Building Council (USBC), Denison’s Bryant Arts Center earned 9 points for sustainability of the building site, 4 points for water efficiency, 12 points for energy and atmosphere considerations (including the maximum possible score for optimized energy performance), 5 points for the use of green materials, 9 points for indoor environmental quality, and 5 points for innovation and design. The total accumulation of 44 points placed the ambitious project well over the standard of 39 points required by the USGBC to qualify for the LEED Gold certification.

The process of turning a century-old gym into an eco-friendly, high-tech arts building — all while respecting the architectural traditions of the structure — was no easy task.

“It was like working on a ship in a bottle,” is how John Archibald, project superintendent with Lincoln Construction, described the renovation of Bryant Arts.

“This was one of the most challenging aspects of project,” said Scott Walker, Denison’s manager of energy and construction. He and his team, including the college’s Facilities Services staff, led by director Art Chonko, were charged with removing the interior of the building — including walls, floors, and even load-bearing partitions — all while maintaining the original brick exterior.

The initial design for the renovation came from principal architect Jack Beyer, member of the Denison class of 1954 and lead partner with the New York firm Beyer Blinder Belle, which boasts such projects as Grand Central Terminal, the Smithsonian Institution, the Ellis Island Museum, the Apollo Theater, the Chicago Merchandise Mart, and the Shanghai Cultural Plaza. The firm has been recognized with three Presidential Design Awards, the Medal of Honor from the AIA New York Chapter, the national AIA Firm Award, the Historic Districts Council’s Landmarks Lion Award, and more than 100 other awards for design and planning.

The Bryant Arts Center was a funding priority for Denison’s successful $178 million Higher Ground Campaign. It is named in honor of the buildings lead donor, Donald L. Bryant Jr. ’64 of St. Louis.

The Washington, D.C.-based USGBC is a nonprofit organization committed to a prosperous and sustainable future for the nation through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. Its LEED green building certification system is the leading certification program for the design, construction and operation of green buildings.

To learn more about the Bryant Arts Center, visit Bryant Arts at Denison