LEED at Tufts

I worked with the building team in the Tufts Collaborative Learning and Innovation Complex to create signs to highlight key sustainability features. This project directly contributed to the building’s LEED Silver Rating.

The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating system, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), is an internationally recognized green building certification program that provides third-party verification that a building is designed and constructed for improved environmental and human health performance.

The LEED signage program at the Tufts University Collaborative Learning and Innovation Complex teaches visitors and occupants about the sustainable features of the building. The signs also help contribute to the LEED Innovation credit. To make this tour accessible, signage includes a number for an audio tour in braille. 

Branding

I collaborated with the building’s art director to make sure that the design matched the building's branding system. I added green edging to the signs to make them visible at various angles within the building and connect them to sustainability.

Sustainable Materials

Given the university's commitment to sustainability, the Office of Sustainability and the Capital Programs team asked us to create all signs with eco-friendly materials. The signs were created using post-consumer recycled materials including Chroma and aluminum. 

Highlighting Building Features

We hung the signs in close proximity to the green building features they described. For example, we mounted the Indoor Water Use sign to the right of the filling station and the Bicycle Storage & Changing Rooms sign near the building exit closest to the changing rooms.

LEED Summary Sign

I developed a summary sign to highlight all LEED features of the building in a single location and highlight the building’s silver LEED rating. This sign was placed close to the building’s information desk near the main entrance. It highlights an accessible audio tour that allows users to walk through the building while learning about the sustainability features.