Fuse at Mason Square recognized for environmental impact and sustainable design

George Mason University's Fuse at Mason Squarewas among the projects cited when Edgemoor Infrastructure and Real Estate received national recognition for industry leadership and sustainable development.

The 345,000-square-foot digital innovation hub, where a celebration was held in late Septemberto introduce the community to the building, earned the Environmental Impact Award at the Annual P3 (Public Private Partnership) Awards in New York City.

"We are proud and deeply honored that Fuse at Mason Square has been recognized with this award," said Liza Wilson Durant, the associate provost for strategic initiatives and community engagement at George Mason and director of the Northern Virginia Node of the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative(CCI). "This prestigious recognition reaffirms our bold commitment to sustainability, innovation, and responsible stewardship in campus development. In partnership with Edgemoor and other collaborators, we have reinforced George Mason's vision of our campuses as living laboratories where infrastructure itself can teach, inspire, and scale sustainable practices."

According to the competition judges, Fuse is "a highly commendable higher-education project that delivers exemplary environmental performance." It was specifically praised for its cutting-edge approach to sustainability in design, construction, and operations. The building is expected to achieve LEED Platinum certificationand is net-zero ready, setting a new standard for environmentally conscious campus facilities.

"Receiving this high-level recognition is a tremendous source of pride and a clear testament to the groundbreaking work of the Fuse team and all of our partners," said Edgemoor Managing Director Brian Naumick. "While the quality of the project is its own reward, formal acknowledgment from our industry peers and partners proves Fuse is truly leading the market for sustainability and resiliency."

Adding to its sustainability achievements, Fuse earned a Fitwel 2 Star Rating, marking a first for George Mason. Fitwel recognizes facilities that enhance quality of life through design and operational strategies that promote physical, mental, and social health.

Conveniently located at the center of the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor, Fuse serves as a state-of-the-art tech hub digital innovators, researchers, and entrepreneurs. The building, which welcomed students this semester, features specialized labs for robotics and virtual reality and data visualization, as well as office spaces, retail, and co-working areas to foster collaboration and innovation across sectors.

The $254 million project was funded through a collaboration that included $90 million each from George Mason and the commonwealth's Tech Talent Investment Program, along with $78 million from Edgemoor Infrastructure and Real Estate.

Fuse was among several Edgemoor projects and personnel recognized across multiple categories.

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