Smith College – Kathleen McCartney Hall

Type: Academic

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A New Model for Sustainable Academic Buildings

A Purpose-Built Mass Timber Student Hub

Kathleen McCartney Hall is a 15,000 sq. ft., three-storey academic building at Smith College that brings together the Lazarus Center for Career Development and the Wurtele Center for Leadership under one roof. Designed as a highly visible campus hub, the facility supports student collaboration, career development, leadership training, and community engagement while advancing Smith College’s ambitious sustainability goals.

As Smith College’s first mass timber building, Kathleen McCartney Hall demonstrates how mass timber can support the creation of high-performance educational facilities that prioritize sustainability, occupant well-being, and architectural excellence.

Mass Timber – the Heart of the Building

Mass timber was selected as a central component of the project’s sustainability strategy, helping reduce embodied carbon while serving as a visible expression of the college’s commitment to climate action. The building utilizes a hybrid mass timber and steel structural system that combines the efficiency of prefabricated timber components with the flexibility required to achieve the project’s architectural vision.

Element5 supplied the project’s cross-laminated timber (CLT) and Glulam components, which remain exposed throughout much of the building’s interior. The warm wood structure contributes to the welcoming atmosphere envisioned by the design team while creating strong biophilic connections between occupants and the natural environment surrounding the site.

Large expanses of glazing showcase the exposed timber structure, allowing daylight to flood interior collaboration spaces while highlighting the craftsmanship and natural beauty of the wood. The mass timber elements serve both structural and architectural functions, creating a building that visibly communicates its sustainability objectives.

Designed for Low-Carbon Performance

Designed to be net-zero ready and targeting LEED Gold certification, the building integrates mass timber with a range of high-performance building systems, such as Smith College’s campus-wide geothermal energy network and a living roof.

The use of mass timber played a significant role in reducing the building’s embodied carbon footprint. Project partners estimate a 30% reduction in embodied carbon through the use of the timber structural system, reduced concrete volumes, and other low-carbon material selections. The building is also expected to achieve a 63% reduction in energy use compared to the AIA 2030 baseline.

Setting a Benchmark for Sustainable Student Hubs

Completed in 2025, Kathleen McCartney Hall sets a new benchmark for academic facilities seeking to align sustainability goals with student experience and institutional values.

By combining exposed mass timber, low-carbon design strategies, and high-performance building systems, the project demonstrates how educational institutions can create inspiring learning environments while advancing meaningful climate commitments.