Carleton takes pride in our status as a small liberal arts college. Knowing that we won’t continually add buildings to our campus footprint, we instead maintain and update our buildings regularly and with great care.
While all our construction projects are upheld with the college’s Construction Design Standards, below is a list of the most recent certified building projects.
Green Building Projects
Multicultural Center and Student Townhouses
In December 2025 the newly completed Multicultural Center and Student Townhouses: Neil House, Hodgson House, Watanabe House, and Sundem House were all PHIUS-certified meeting the highest standards in building efficiency. Requirements such as thick walls, airtightness, window comfort, and moisture and thermal designs that increase energy efficiency while reducing costs. These houses also support cultural and identity interests and programming. The Multicultural Center is also the home for the Office of Intercultural Life.
Class of 1974 Center
The Class of 1974 Center opened in fall 2025 as a model for sustainability, accessibility, and health. The wellness center which is home to Student Health And Counseling (SHAC) includes SMART VAV (variable air volume) ventilation, and beautiful accessible entrances and is certified LEED Platinum with rooftop solar panels.
Lilac Hill Student Housing
The Lilac Hill residential community opened in fall 2024 as the first group of PHIUS-certified student housing buildings in the U.S. The townhomes are net-energy neutral and a model for sustainable housing, with thick exterior walls, energy recovery ventilation, geothermal heating and cooling, and rooftop solar panels.
Integrated Science Complex
The Science Complex, combining Hulings, Olin, and the newly constructed Anderson Hall, was renovated and constructed with two major goals in mind: A “Science on Display” design and sustainable building best practices through the LEED Rating System by the US Green Building Council.
The building utilized the LEED Rating System with the following sustainable practices:
- Bicycle storage and changing rooms
- Light pollution reduction-Dark Skies compliant fixtures
- Water efficiency and water efficient landscaping
- Optimized energy performance
- On-site and purchased renewable energy
- Enhanced mechanical / electrical systems commissioning
- Construction waste management, 75% or more recycled
- Recycled and regional materials
- Indoor air quality management (low-emitting materials, chemical and pollutant source control, etc.)
- Thermal and lighting comfort and controllability
- Educational graphics and tours
James & Cassat Residence Halls
Both Cassat Hall and James Hall are Gold Certified through the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System. The LEED system was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) to provide a suite of standards for environmentally sustainable construction.
Weitz Center for Creativity
Another LEED construction project, plans for the Weitz Center for Creativity called for the renovation and re-use of the original 1910 building in its entirety, preserving much of its history and unique architectural features. The College took great care in selecting an architect with special expertise in adapting old buildings to new purposes.