West Portal and Bauer Hall

The exterior of the Living Village is clad in terracotta, a fired clay material technology that has been used in sculptures, ceramics, and buildings for tens of thousands of years. Selected for its notable durability and relatively low embodied carbon compared to aluminum, steel, glass, or concrete, the terracotta advances the Living Village’s goal to reduce embodied carbon by 20% and to foster a materials economy that prioritizes natural, low-carbon choices throughout the building’s life cycle.

Hidden underneath the exterior terracotta clad is the building’s mass timber construction framing, sustainably harvested wood, and cross-laminated timber floors. The LBC program requires that at least 80% of all wood be certified by Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), or salvaged or intentionally harvested on-site. Importantly, FSC-certified wood is grown and harvested in a regenerative way. Throughout their life cycle, trees naturally capture and store carbon. When harvested and used sustainably, trees can therefore create a “negative emission” building material. This bound CO₂ is then stored in the structure of the building for the entirety of the building’s lifespan.

Under the Living Village, the foundation incorporates granulated blast-furnace slag. This glassy material is formed when molten blast-furnace slag is rapidly cooled. By replacing a portion of carbon-intensive Portland cement with slag, the project achieves a low-emission concrete mix that significantly reduces embodied carbon, ensuring that even the building’s hidden structure contributes to its regenerative goals.

One of the first features many notice when approaching the Living Village is the striking window arrangement overhanging the portal. This is an exterior glimpse of the Lantern Lounge, a community space on the second floor of the building and a symbol of the lanterns that hang over the gates of Yale’s residential colleges. The Lantern Lounge is a cozy, light-filled space for study, rest, contemplation, and community connection. The nearly 15-foot ceilings and west-facing windows create an ideal setting to witness the sunset while reading for class, sharing a meal, or having a conversation. Inside, you’ll find artisan furniture crafted from locally sourced recycled wood, LED and natural lighting (depending on time of day), and, like the rest of the building, exemplary indoor air quality supported by a Healthy Indoor Environment Plan and state-of-the-art HVAC systems. Scattered around the portal entrance and throughout the Village are granite and bluestone benches, chosen for their regional availability and natural durability. These are designed as universally accessible street furniture for all to gather, rest, and share in community.

Requisite Petals: Equity, Beauty, Health & Happiness, and Materials