Project News
WT Partnership (WT) instrumental in SUPPORTING UC MERCED’S EFFORT TO REACH THEIR SUSTAINABILITY GOALS.
Merced, CA — Two years ahead schedule, The University of California, Merced (UC Merced) is the first public research university in the country to achieve carbon neutrality.
After a lengthy and rigorous review by independent auditors, UC Merced recently announced its distinction as the first public research university in the country, to achieve carbon neutrality. Working in the role of Owner’s Project Delivery Advisor, WT was instrumental in leading the delivery of the UC Merced 2020 project, which aligned itself with the University of California system’s set of stringent sustainability goals, including zero net greenhouse gas emissions by 2020.
EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS
Upon careful review, working in close collaboration with university partners , WT assisted with the identified that UC Merced’s mandated LEED Gold Technical Requirements could be exceeded and that achieving LEED Platinum across 12 buildings campus wide, was a real possibility. With an emphasis on energy efficiency, daylight access, water efficiency and embodied carbon reduction, an addendum of minimum requirement changes were negotiated with the developer and carried out. This included WT’s spearheading of a shift to utilizing solar ready boilers on newly constructed UC Merced 2020 student housing buildings, to allow for the future installation of solar panels.
WT is proud to work alongside forward thinking universities such as UC Merced. Institutions that truly place sustainability at the forefront of capital development. Looking ahead, WT is focused on providing increased value and industry leading advisory to the higher education sector across North America.
Find out more about UC Merced’s fantastic achievement: LINK
About the UC Merced 2020 Project:
The $1.3 billion UC Merced 2020 project is one of the largest, most complex P3 social infrastructure projects undertaken in the US to date. As a first of its kind higher education sector project in the US, UC Merced 2020 comprised of the delivery of over 1.2 million SF across 13 buildings and associated infrastructure, delivered in three phases. Facilities included a wellness center, arts and computational laboratory, BSL3 laboratory, student housing and instructional learning classrooms, dining center, administrative and academic leadership offices, 299 seat auditorium and research wet and dry laboratories.
About WT:
WT Partnership is one of the fastest growing advisory firms in North America. Founded in Australia back in 1949, WT is known as the oldest start-up in the industry and has been a force in North America since 2010. A trusted advisor to Owners, Developers, Government and Private sector clients, WT currently manages $6.5 billion dollars of active mega projects across North America.
Media Contact:
Jake Witt, Senior Program Manager
jake.witt@wtpartnership.co
+1 424.218.5333
