The Meehan Student Center (formerly University Crossing) was designed to advance UMass Lowell’s sustainability goals through high-performance building systems and thoughtful design. The facility has achieved LEED Silver certification, reflecting a comprehensive focus on energy efficiency, water conservation, materials, and indoor environmental quality. The building also supports UMass Lowell’s Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) Platinum rating, the highest level of recognition for sustainability in higher education, reflecting the university’s work to integrate sustainability across operations, academics and community engagement.
Daylighting Design and The Lantern
The atrium’s daylighting strategy is both high-performance and deeply rooted in Lowell’s history. At its center is “The Lantern,” a sculptural installation inspired by the textile looms that once powered the city. Composed of vertical wood slats that extend upward through the atrium, the Lantern captures, refracts, and diffuses sunlight—projecting natural light deep into interior spaces. This integrated approach reduces reliance on electric lighting while transforming the lobby into a vibrant, light-filled hub that connects past industry with forward-looking design.
Green Roof as a Living Lab
The Meehan Student Center’s green roof is not only an environmental feature—it’s an active, student-engaged learning space. In collaboration with the UMass Lowell Office of Sustainability and Mill City Grows, a Lowell-based urban farming nonprofit, a 500-square-foot rooftop vegetable garden was established in 2019 overlooking Salem Street. The modular system—featuring roughly 180 plants grown in milk-crate planters—invites student involvement throughout the growing cycle, from transplanting to harvesting. The garden connects campus life to local food systems, urban agriculture, and hands-on sustainability education.
Student-Led Biophilic Innovation
Bringing nature indoors, living moss wall installations enhance both environmental performance and student experience. Installed along the Salem Street entryway, these panels were funded through a Sustainability Engagement & Enrichment Development (S.E.E.D.) grant from the Rist Institute for Sustainability and Energy, following a successful proposal by the Student Government Association in 2022. These self-sustaining moss systems rely on ambient humidity, while helping reduce noise, moderate indoor temperature, and create a more calming, biophilic environment within a high-traffic student space.
Connecting Campus and Community
The Meehan Student Center reflects UMass Lowell’s deep connection to the City of Lowell through meaningful local partnerships. Seasonal indoor farmers markets hosted in the building introduce students to local entrepreneurs and encourage support for the regional economy. For example, a Lowell-based food producer that participated in campus markets is now featured in select campus dining locations, including Crossroads Café in the Meehan Student Center, illustrating how campus-community partnerships can support local food systems.
Integrated Stormwater and Landscape Design
Green roofs, exterior plantings, and underground stormwater containment systems work together to absorb rainwater, reduce runoff, mitigate heat island effects, and support local ecosystem health.
Efficient Building Systems
Centrally controlled energy systems operate approximately 20% above standard efficiency benchmarks, reflecting high-performance building design.
Sustainable and Healthy Materials
The building incorporates refurbished furnishings, regionally sourced materials, and low-emitting finishes to reduce environmental impact and improve indoor air quality by minimizing volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Water Conservation and Reuse
Low-flow fixtures, sensor-operated sinks, and rainwater reuse for irrigation reduce water consumption, while hydration stations support reusable bottle use.
Support for Active Transportation
Bike racks and on-site shower facilities make it easier for students and staff to choose low-carbon commuting options.