Fernow Hall

Small garden planted on the roof of Fernow Hall
The rain garden on the roof of Fernow Hall, along with the rest of the green roof, diverts and filters stormwater.

Fernow Hall

LEED Certified Gold

Green features include a rain garden to mitigate stormwater runoff, a planted roof garden terrace used by the Natural Resources Department, as well as photovoltaic solar renewable energy systems. 

On the LEED-certified scorecard, Fernow Hall scored 66 out of 110 possible points. For a full breakdown, review the report on the US Green Buildings Certification (USGBC) website.

Sustainable Sites Water Efficiency Energy & Atmosphere Materials & Resources Indoor Environmental Quality Innovation & Design Regional Priority
Points Earned 19 / 26 6 / 10 17 / 35 2 / 14 9 / 15 6 / 6 2 / 4

Project Highlights

As a way to mitigate stormwater runoff, a rain garden was created directly north of the new 50-person classroom. The garden contains a variety of self-sustaining vegetation.

Inside view looking up at the photovoltaic glass skylights in the atrium of Fernow Hall.
Looking up at Fernow atrium covered with photovoltaics.

A planted roof garden terrace was created on the roof of the new classroom addition which contains a mix of sedum plantings and the possibility for experimental plantings by the Department of Natural Resources.

The project incorporates photovoltaic solar renewable energy systems, including solar photovoltaic glass skylights.


LEED®, and its related logo, is a trademark owned by the U.S. Green Building Council® and is used with permission.


Featured on the Cornell Sustainable Landscapes Trail 

Fernow Green Roof and Rain Garden 

The Cornell Sustainable Landscapes Trail highlights a dozen sites on campus designed for maximum sustainability, ecosystem services, and natural beauty using our campus as a living laboratory.