Touting it as the first academic community in the world built from the ground up for sustainable development, living, and learning, Chatham University started phase one of a years-long plan to build the Eden Hall Campus in Richland Township.
“This total first phase project is $40 million creating the first residential campus on the first completely green campus in America,” said Chatham President Esther Barazzone.
When completed, the Eden Hall Campus will serve more than 1,000 students in a carbon and water resources-neutral setting.
“It’ll be a campus where we create our own energy, process our own waste water, engage in sustainable agriculture as well as run various programs in sustainability at the master’s and undergraduate level, and establish a place to do continuing education for the North Hills,” said Barazzone.
The initial stage of construction includes the development of field labs, classrooms, a dining hall, café, amphitheater, and mosaic garden. That is expected to be completed in 2013. Two residence halls will be done in 2015.
At that time, up to 150 students can live there and two programs will be offered – a masters of sustainability program and masters of food studies program. The Eden Hall campus will be home to Chatham’s Schools of Sustainability and the Environment.
