Construction on Hobson College, slated to be completed in spring 2027, will expand the University housing capacity by 510 residents and expand sustainability features as the University works toward its 2046 net-zero goal.
Hobson College, which began construction in 2023, is one of the final steps in the University’s four-year plan to expand the undergraduate student body from roughly 5,200 to 5,700 students.
The site previously housed First College — formerly Wilson College — a complex demolished after the University concluded that “the existing dorms [were] past their usable life, not accessible, and do not support the residential experience we are trying to provide for students.”
Sustainability has been central to the University’s campus plan since December 2017, which outlines the environmentally conscious development of Princeton’s physical campus through 2026.
In line with this plan and Princeton’s Sustainable Action Plan, Hobson will incorporate a range of eco-conscious systems and materials, including all-electric heating systems, rainwater harvesting infrastructure, and low-carbon materials, according to University spokesperson Ahmad Rizvi.
These features correspond to the guidelines of the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), which shapes the University’s broader approach to sustainable construction. Under University policy, all major campus projects are required to achieve a LEED rating of silver or higher.
In an email to The Daily Princetonian, Rizvi highlighted several ways in which Hobson College aligns with Princeton’s goal of achieving net-zero campus greenhouse gas emissions by 2046. Among them is the University’s expanding geo-exchange systems, which Hobson will join upon completion.
“The college will be connected to Princeton’s geo-exchange heating and cooling system, allowing Hobson College to operate with energy-efficient building systems that dramatically reduce operational carbon emissions,” Rizvi wrote.
The geo-exchange system uses underground bores and heat pumps to store and extract heat from the earth. Heat collected in the summer can be reused in the winter, reducing dependency on nonrenewable fuels like natural gas and diesel. The geo-exchange system is currently used in the Lakeside Apartments, Lawrence Apartments, and Lewis Center for the Arts.
In contrast, geothermal systems used in buildings extract heat but cannot store it, resulting in greater winter dependence on fossil fuels.
The University’s geo-exchange network spans several campus locations, with borefields under Poe Field, Meadows Softball, Roberts Stadium, Whitman Lawn, and East Garage. This system already enables all-electric appliances in Yeh College and New College West, and will do the same for Hobson.
“These structures are all-electric, including an electric-ready commercial kitchen, and are solar PV-ready, ensuring future integration of renewable energy sources,” Rizvi added.
Hobson’s design also incorporates features intended to protect Princeton’s native flora and fauna, including bird-safe glass and environmentally conscious vegetation. Since 2024, the University has partnered with the Princeton Birding Society to expand the use of bird-safe glass across campus.
“The landscape is populated with native and adaptive plants … that enhance biodiversity and ecological resilience,” Rizvi added.
Green infrastructure, such as “pervious pavers, rain gardens, green roofs, and subsurface basins,” will limit rainwater runoff into streams and lakes by directing it towards the soil, which will absorb the rainwater, replenish soil moisture, and filter pollutants, Rizvi explained.
Sustainability considerations also shaped the construction phase. Rizvi explained that the project “has prioritized waste diversion from landfills” through the use of cleaner materials with a lower carbon footprint.
“The building materials themselves reflect a commitment to reduced embodied carbon; with a mass timber structural system and low-carbon concrete and structural steel elements,” Rizvi continued.
The new building will also contain eco-friendly amenities for students and residents.
“Students enjoy natural daylighting, low-emitting materials, and natural ventilation in their rooms, creating a healthier, more comfortable living environment,” Rizvi wrote. “These choices not only reduce the environmental footprint but also contribute to a warm, inviting aesthetic.”
The construction of Hobson College is expected to be complete by Spring 2027.
Toby Chang is a News contributor for the ‘Prince.’ He is from Prescott, Ariz. and can be reached at toby.chang[at]princeton.edu.
Please send corrections to corrections[at]dailyprincetonian.com.
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