It looks like an old Sylvania building is being converted into a “Green Dorm” for the students of Salem State College. 525 students will live within the building, said to be one the more eco-friendly dormitories in Massachusetts. Students will also be excited to know they can eat in their own dining hall - Salem State’s first in a dorm. So what makes this new student dorm “green”?

• Roofs will either have soil and ground covers to absorb rain or white thermoplastic membranes to reflect the heat
• Carpets made of recycled fibers
• Furniture made of recycled plastic and steel
• They hope to erect solar panels soon! An alternate Salem State building is slated to receive solar panels this summer.

Good job to the buildings’ designers - Dimella Shaffer