Colleges and Universities

SWA works with colleges and universities to design energy-efficient, healthy, cost-effective new constructions or to upgrade existing buildings. We partner with utility and government programs that offer incentive programs to encourage sustainable building practices by offsetting initial costs.

We work with institutions of higher education to develop dormitory housing, certify buildings of all types including science, classroom and performing arts facilities. We also perform energy audits and feasibility studies to improve existing facilities.

Colleges and universities can be certified under LEED®: Existing Buildings™ and LEED®: New Construction™.

LEED® for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance™

LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance promotes higher building performance while cutting operating costs and improving indoor environmental quality for tenants and building staff. Owners and managers of existing building LEED projects recognize that new construction only represents 1% of the U.S. building stock, and that the average commercial building has a life of about 40 years. Rather than waiting around for the right moment to build a high performance building from the ground up, LEED for Existing Buildings: O&M clients choose to take action without delay—pursuing lower energy bills, longer building life, and the peace of mind that comes with high performance—in the buildings they already own and operate.

SWA guides our clients throughout the entire process of achieving LEED for Existing Buildings: O&M, including initial O&M review meetings, technical auditing, retro-commissioning, O&M policy implementation, and documentation. We also provide documentable training in all sectors (waste management, health and safety, policies, and engineering) for building owners, managers, project teams, and tenants.

For qualifying buildings, SWA also provides concurrent support for earning the ENERGY STAR®.

LEED® for New Construction (and Major Renovations)™

The LEED for New Construction rating system is aimed at guiding new or majorly renovated commercial and institutional buildings toward high performance building choices.

As a leading practitioner of LEED support for commercial and institutional projects, SWA has participated in the successful certification of some of the highest profile LEED certified office, government, educational, cultural, and high-rise residential buildings in the U.S.

SWA customizes each client’s LEED support package to include complementary energy consulting work. Our goal is to maximize the time, effort and money that our clients put into developing their sustainable projects while minimizing complications, distractions, and waste.

For qualifying buildings, SWA also provides concurrent support for earning the ENERGY STAR®.