College architect named Sustainable Architect of the Year

College architect named Sustainable Architect of the Year

BY JENNIFER EVANS
Rice News staff

Rice’s commitment to sustainable construction was underscored last month when the design architect of its two new colleges was named Sustainable Architect of the Year.

The London-based Hopkins Architects was recognized by Building Magazine for being at the forefront of sustainability best practice and “demonstrating green design across the globe.”

Hopkins designed Duncan College and Burton and Deedee McMurtry College, both of which are on track to be completed by fall 2009 and both of which include many elements of sustainability. They will feature, among other things, green roofs with low-maintenance plants, bathroom pods — prefabricated bathrooms that reduce the generation of on-site construction waste — and environmentally friendly building materials.

Hopkins also is the design architect on the South Colleges renovation project, which will get under way in May. Included in the plans are elements of sustainability, like bathroom pods and a green roof over the Baker College kitchen/servery. Rice will also recycle construction waste, just as at the North Colleges project.