Golisano Hall:
LEEDing the Way

A Walking Tour

We start our tour in Arnold Rain Garden, immediately adjacent to Golisano Hall.  The garden is dedicated green space featuring drought-tolerant (no irrigation) and native plants.  The garden collects surface water runoff and serves as an excellent example of water- and resource-efficient landscaping in an attractive, highly visible location at the center of Hartwick's academic plateau.

Immediately behind Arnold Rain Garden, you'll notice three designated parking places for fuel-efficient and hybrid vehicles.

On your way into Golisano Hall, you'll pass one of three bike racks, which provide secure parking for bike commuters.  Bike racks are located immediately adjacent to the north and south ends of Golisano Hall's ground-floor entrances, as well as at the upper elevated entrance.

Behind the screened fence to your right is Golisano Hall's air-cooled chiller system.  This system uses air instead of water to diffuse heat, thereby saving money by reducing the use of water and associated cooling tower chemicals.  No ozone-depleting compounds are used by this system.

Upon entering the building from the Arnold Rain Garden entrance, you'll pass Golisano Hall's first-floor boiler room, which houses high-efficiency condensing boilers.  Although these building heating and cooling components are rarely noticed, they form a core part of the building's energy-efficient operations.

Golisano Hall's heating and cooling systems are computer-controlled single-pipe units that enhance efficient flow throughout the building.  Outside air flow and increased ventilation ensure adequate air flow throughout Golisano Hall.

Climate control systems in Golisano Hall are managed remotely via an Automated Logic control system.

Golisano Hall's heating/cooling pumps and air-handling fans are controlled by Variable Speed Drives which ensure that only the required amount of air or heating/cooling is delivered to spaces in the building.

Golisano Hall ensures a clean, healthy indoor working and learning environment with the use of green building materials including low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) emitting carpeting, paint, and adhesives. 

In addition, a number of areas feature sustainably harvested FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) Certified wood and/or recycled products.

Golisano Hall's large, southeast-facing energy-efficient thermopane windows frame a view of apple, white birch, and maple trees, with the city of Oneonta and the Susquehanna River Valley stretching into the distance.  Over 90% of Golisano Hall's occupied spaces have windows, which show off gorgeous views as well as providing day lighting and passive lighting of interior spaces by natural sunlight. 

All restrooms in Golisano Hall feature touchless low-flow faucets and fixtures.  All men's restrooms feature waterless urinals.

Each floor in Golisano Hall has built-in recycling bins for Hartwick's Zero-Sort Recycling program.

Low-voltage track lighting and occupancy sensors regulate lighting within Golisano Hall's public spaces.

The southeast face of Golisano Hall maximizes winter sun and avoids oblique angles.