Green Project of the Week: Living Village at Yale
The new residential complex for Yale University’s Divinity School (YDS), dubbed the Living Village, opened doors to its first residents. The Living Village was designed with sustainability in mind, incorporating clean energy generation and building materials safety. Sustainable water practices and environmental awareness are key features of Yale’s Living Village that redefine what sustainable living could be.
Envisioned by Bruner/Cott Architects with the facility designed by Höweler + Yoon, the building is the paradigm of environmentally-conscious architecture. Developed as a model of regenerative architecture, the Living Village moves beyond sustainability to restore the surrounding ecosystem. One example includes capturing a 10% excess of solar and photovoltaic power than what is needed, allowing the building to offset energy consumed by existing campus buildings.
A lot of thought went into the building’s water usage, with a plan implemented for rainwater, wastewater, and stormwater. Rainwater will be stored and reused in spray irrigation and laundry, while stormwater will be absorbed into the ground. Wastewater will be processed on site for continued use in toilets and drip irrigation.
It is a commitment to not just allowing students to live in a building, but reside in a space that encourages harmony with nature.
