Diplomatic Pouch

SIS Works with "Green Dean" on New Building

As a leader in global education and scholarship, SIS has a responsibility to demonstrate that genuine efforts can be made to address the connections among international development, conflict resolution, and environmental protection. A state-of-the-art, environmentally friendly building that reflects this commitment will inspire students, faculty, and alumni to further advance the school's international service mission. It is with this conviction that SIS has selected William McDonough & Partners as the architects to design a new building for SIS. As internationally recognized architects, planners, and leaders in sustainable design, William McDonough & Partners crafts designs for buildings and communities that embody new and enduring standards of economic, ecological, and social responsibility.

"Imagine a building, enmeshed in the landscape, that harvests the energy of the sun, sequesters carbon and makes oxygen…in short, a life-support system in harmony with energy flows, human souls, and other living things. Hardly a machine at all," states architect William McDonough. As an architect and designer who helped pioneer environmentally friendly sustainable buildings in the '80s, McDonough was nicknamed the Green Dean during his tenure at the University of Virginia in the '90s. McDonough designed the Ford's River Rouge factory in Michigan containing over 10 acres of grass on the roof. His most recent book, Cradle to Cradle, is printed on toxin-free synthetic materials rather than paper. Additionally, McDonough is very focused on deployments of renewable power. Through the creative designs of McDonough & Partners, the new SIS Building is expected to meet the needs of the expanding school, community, and the local environment as well as serve as a model for environmentally sustainable design.