Two -- Count 'Em, Two -- (LEED) Platinum Buildings at Ithaca College

This article by Scott Carlson is from the Chronicle's "Building & Grounds" blog:

[There are] two new green structures now under construction at Ithaca College, both situated at the front of the campus. Interestingly, the buildings are not associated with the environmental-studies program or the biology program. The glassy building, designed by Robert A.M. Stern Architects, is for the business school and will cost $18-million. The other green building, for which there is only space cleared at the moment, is an administration building by HOLT Architects that will cost $21-million.

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The materials in the business building might be conventional, but their arrangement is not. “There are so many things to learn,” said Dave Geiger, the foreman for one of the contractors working on the building. “I’ve been in the business for 40 years and I’ve never put insulation on the outside of a building before. But it makes sense.”

“When I first heard this project was going to be LEED platinum, I was a little scared” of the paperwork and certification involved, said Sean Cahill, the project manager for the Gilbane Building Company. But now he is visibly excited about working on the building. “This is going to be a signature project for the college.”