Simmons College is a nationally recognized private university located in the heart of Boston. It offers undergraduate education for women, and renowned coeducational graduate programs in health sciences, education, liberal arts, social work, library and information science, and communications management, as well as the nation’s first MBA program designed specifically for women.

In April 2009, the $63 million Simmons College School of Management and Academic Building received Gold LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, the campus’ first. Formerly a parking lot, the building encloses the newly formed Simmons Quadrangle creating a new center for campus life and concealing a five-level 700-car subterranean parking garage below.

“The five-story, 66,500-square-foot School of Management and Academic Building houses the Simmons School of Management, formerly located on Commonwealth Avenue, and marks the first time in the college’s history that all five of its graduate schools are located on one campus at 300 The Fenway. The building includes four state-of-the-art general-use classrooms, four School of Management-specific classrooms, an executive education conference room, and a “green” landscaped roof plaza.

“From the use of sustainable and recyclable building materials, to highly efficient heating, cooling, and ventilation systems and water fixtures, the new building is as environmentally responsible as it is eye-catching. The building is expected to use 34% less water and 38% less energy than similar buildings of the same size. Simmons partnered with general contractor Lee Kennedy Co., Inc. and architects CannonDesign on the project, which began in 2006,” (Simmons College News Release, 2009).

Located at the new Simmons College – School of Management, this green roof patio is available to faculty and students to enjoy. Overlooking the quad, it is accessible from the fifth floor. A curving metal screen hides mechanical units on the roof.

Installed in August, 2008 by Apex Green Roofs, the Roofmeadow Type II accessible green roof design has primarily drought tolerant sedum species with mounds of flowering perennials and grasses at deeper depths. The semi-intensive greenroof system has a depth of 4″-8″, established with sedum plugs and 1 gallon perennial pots.

A powerful reflection of Simmons’ commitment to environmental sustainability and of their responsible stewardship of economic resources, the project has been included in Simmons College’s curricula in environmental science and ethics/philosophy, further enhancing their sustainable mindset.