Mount Allison University, located in Sackville, New Brunswick, is consistently recognized as one of Canada’s top undergraduate universities, a distinction reinforced by their commitment to creating a healthy, high-performance campus environment for students and faculty.
The university has embedded the Green Globes assessment process directly into its policy for new buildings and major renovations. As one of the earliest adopters of Green Globes, Mount Allison has long recognized the framework as a comprehensive, streamlined path to demonstrating its commitment to energy efficiency, environmental responsibility, and healthy campus environments.
The university’s Buildings Policy, part of its broader Environmental Policy, reflects that commitment in clear terms: the institution is dedicated to constructing, operating, and maintaining buildings in ways that reduce operating costs, provide healthy environments for students, faculty, staff, and visitors, and contribute to the goals of protecting, conserving, and enhancing the environment.
Harper Hall is a direct expression of the university’s Environmental Policy that mandates certification targets, such as Green Globes, for all new construction and renovation projects.
“Every renovation and new construction project at the University is carefully planned to create functional, efficient, and comfortable spaces for students, faculty, and staff. Our goal is to design buildings that enhance the campus experience while upholding the University’s standards for sustainability, design, and performance.” — Kris Kierstead, Director of Facilities Management, Mount Allison University
About the Project
Harper Hall first opened its doors in 1965, and in the six decades since, more than 8,000 students have called it home. After years of service, the five-story building underwent a comprehensive renovation beginning in 2022. This was not merely a refresh, but a fundamental rebuild from the steel frame up.
The $32 million renovation was completed in time to welcome students back in September 2024, delivering 147 beds alongside upgraded common areas, study spaces, and social zones. The scope of work included new windows, roofing, flooring, electrical and plumbing systems, and a full upgrade to heating, ventilation, and lighting.
Particular attention was paid to occupant comfort and energy performance. Student rooms and common areas now feature energy-efficient ventilation and radiant ceiling panels that deliver comfortable, evenly distributed heating. High-performance triple-glazed windows and improved insulation push the building’s energy profile well beyond current code requirements.
Earning Four Green Globes
Harper Hall’s renovated design earned an outstanding Four Green Globes rating. This result exceeded the Three Green Globes target Mount Allison sets as its standard for all new construction and renovation projects.
The rating reflects the project’s strong performance across the Green Globes assessment areas, including energy efficiency, indoor environment, water conservation, and materials management. The upgraded building envelope, efficient mechanical systems, and thoughtful design all contributed to the outcome.
According to Facilities Manager Kris Kierstead, the Green Globes process is as comprehensive as any assessment method available. The university sees the Green Globes rating system as providing all of the necessary design and operational outcomes with far more streamlined implementation methods than comparable programs, making it a practical, rigorous choice for a campus committed to continuous environmental improvement.
Harper Hall joins a growing portfolio of Green Globes–certified buildings on the Mount Allison campus, including the Fitness Centre (2004), the Purdy Crawford Centre for the Arts (2016), Windsor Hall (2020), as well as in progress projects including an athletic centre and innovation centre. Together, these projects reflect the university’s sustained, decades-long commitment to sustainable building.
