The Davidson-Gundy Alumni Center is the sixth LEED-certified building on the UT Dallas campus.
The Davidson-Gundy Alumni Center has been awarded LEED Gold status by the United States Green Building Council, becoming the sixth building on The University of Texas at Dallas campus to earn LEED certification.
The alumni center joins the Bioengineering and Sciences Building as the only structures on campus to achieve Gold recognition, the second-highest designation offered. UT Dallas’ Student Services Building earned Platinum certification, the highest LEED certification, in 2010. The Edith O'Donnell Arts and Technology Building, Naveen Jindal School of Management Addition and the complex composed of Residence Hall West, Dining Hall West and Rec Center West have earned Silver certifications.
As the world’s premier credentialing system for sustainable construction, LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, recognizes environmentally conscious construction around the globe. Projects are reviewed for their commitment to sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, indoor environmental quality and cutting-edge design.
“Achieving LEED certification for new construction is an important symbol of our commitment to sustainability and our duty to future generations.”
Kyle Edgington PhD'13,
vice president for development and alumni relations.
“Our University was founded on the spirit of innovation and in hopes of forging a better tomorrow through education,” said Kyle Edgington PhD'13, vice president for development and alumni relations. “It is important that our campus reflects these values. Achieving LEED certification for new construction is an important symbol of our commitment to sustainability and our duty to future generations.”
Since opening last year, the Davidson-Gundy Alumni Center has hosted more than 200 events and 14,000 guests for galas, conferences, lectures, concerts, weddings and other gatherings. The center also houses office space for the University’s alumni relations and events staff.
As part of its design, the 30,246-square-foot facility incorporates regionally sourced materials and technology that significantly reduce water consumption. A conscious effort was made to blend the center’s indoor and outdoor spaces by situating the building within a grove of live oak trees and making ample use of glass in its design. The resulting mixture of daylight and shade helps mitigate energy use in the facility.
The alumni center was made possible in large part by a $15 million contribution from alumni couple Nancy Gundy Davidson BS’80 and Charles “Chuck” Davidson MS’80. Construction began in 2015, and the center officially opened in September 2017.
Overland Partners, a San Antonio-based architectural firm, worked with the Davidsons to carry out their vision of creating a campus home for the University’s more than 105,000 alumni and a facility that would serve as a gateway for current students to become lifelong members of the UT Dallas community.
“It was a unique privilege to work with UTD as an architect,” said Rick Archer, senior principal architect with Overland Partners. “The campus is as deeply committed to innovation in design as it is in academics. As a result, the Davidson-Gundy Alumni Center is a window into the future. It provides a view of life after graduation for students and shares perspective on where UTD is headed for alumni.
“For the world, it inspires us to imagine a more sustainable, more equitable and more beautiful future. Achieving LEED Gold certification for the building is tangible evidence of this commitment.”