Drexel U Building to Features Living Biofilter
Drexel University (PA) has announced plans to include a living biofilter in its new Sciences Building. The multi-story plant wall is intended to improve indoor air quality and reduce the temperature of the air in summer through the plants' natural respiratory properties. The installation will also function as a humidifier during the winter months. Drexel believes the bio wall to be the first in a United States university. The new science building is expected to achieve LEED Silver certification.
U North Carolina to Develop Green Below-Market Housing
The University of North Carolina has announced that they will develop a new neighborhood that will offer university faculty and staff single-family town homes and condominium homes at below-market rates. The home and landscaping of Carolina Commons will also be designed to be as green as possible.
Florida State U Building Receives LEED Silver
Florida State University has received LEED Silver certification for its new McIntosh Track and Field Building. The two-story, 19,000-square-foot structure features local and regional materials, energy-efficient lighting and mechanical systems, low-flow water fixtures, sorted or recycled construction debris, and low-VOC paints.
Second Nature to Support Green Building at Under-Resourced Schools
Second Nature has launched Advancing Green Building in Higher Education, a program focused on addressing some of the challenges faced by under-resourced colleges and universities to build green buildings on their campuses. With a $1,242,000 three-year grant from the Kresge Foundation, Second Nature is helping under-resourced schools learn about and use the financial and technical resources available to construct and renovate campus buildings in ways that save money, reduce environmental and health impacts, serve as educational tools, and increase student enrollment. As part of the program, AASHE is offering Title III and Title V schools a 60 percent discount on new membership. Campuses joining as part of this special offer may participate in a welcome webinar about AASHE resources and programs, as well as a series of complimentary teleconferences on campus sustainability topics such as green building, master planning, and energy conservation. Another part of the program will allow Second Nature to award fellowships to 40 university executives who will learn the skills and technical information they need to be effective champions for green building at their own under-resourced campuses. University campus planners, facilities directors, or vice presidents of finance and business will be eligible for the fellowships through which they will take part in learning and networking opportunities. In addition, Second Nature will create a Campus Green Builder Web Portal, to be launched in the fall of 2009. The portal will include case studies of green building at under-resourced schools and other useful resources.
UC Merced Science Building Receives LEED Gold
The Science and Engineering Building at the University of California, Merced has received LEED Gold certification. The 174,000-square-foot structure features natural lighting and was constructed with locally supplied and/or recycled building materials.
Judson U Building Receives LEED Gold
Judson University's (IL) Harm A. Weber Academic Center has received LEED Gold certification. The 88,000-square-foot building, which opened in 2007, features a passive solar design, stack-induced natural ventilation, and on-site storm water management. The site also contains native prairie and habitat restoration.
Mount Holyoke College Res Hall Receives LEED Gold
Mount Holyoke College's (MA) new residence hall, which opened in September 2008, has been awarded LEED Gold certification. The 176-bed, $30 million building features bike racks, solar panels, and an energy monitoring system that allows students in each of the six clusters to track their energy use and compete with the other clusters on energy conservation. The structure also contains highly recyclable content and rapidly renewable materials.
NY Times Article Covers the Greening of Business School Buildings
The New York Times has published an article on the prevalence of green construction initiatives in business school buildings across the United States. The article mentions green features of business school structures at the University of Michigan, Stanford University (CA), Thunderbird School of Global Management (AZ), Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and New York University.
Rice U Opens Green Child Care Center
Rice University (TX) has opened the Rice Children's Campus, a building that meets LEED standards. The structure features reused materials, light sensors, programmable thermostats for each of five separate zones, double-paned energy-efficient windows, and overhands that block the sun. Other green elements include water-efficient fixtures, and 8,000 gallon underground rainwater cistern, and local plant landscaping. The building has a capacity of 86 students, who must be the children of Rice faculty, staff, or students to be eligible for admission.
Rice U Opens Green Graduate Housing
Rice University (TX) has opened the Rice Village Apartment complex, a new green graduate housing hall located close to campus. The 237-bed residence features bicycle storage and was built to LEED standards. In addition, the complex offers a free bicycle to residence who agree not to bring a car to the apartments.
Jackson State U Engineering Building Receives LEED Certification
Jackson State University's (MS) new School of Engineering building has received LEED certification. The 90,000-square-foot facility features environmentally-friendly materials and reduced waste in construction. It is the first state-funded construction project in Mississippi to receive LEED certification.
Simmons College Opens Green Academic Building
Simmons College (MA) has opened its new School of Management and Academic Building, which was built in accordance with LEED standards. The 66,500-square-foot building features recyclable building materials, an efficient heating and cooling system, and low-flow water fixtures. The College is seeking LEED Silver certification for the new structure.
Bunker Hill CC Building Receives Green Design Award
The 48,000-square-foot Health and Wellness Center under construction at Bunker Hill Community College (MA) has received a 2008 Green Design Concept Award from the Education Design Showcase, which will be featured in the College Planning & Management Magazine . The awards go to buildings under construction that will meet or exceed high standards of sustainability. The new structure, at an estimated cost of $22.7 million, will feature large south-facing windows, natural daylighting, a stormwater management system, a white roof, and recycled content containing materials.
CSU Monterey Bay Opens Green Library
California State University, Monterey Bay has opened a new $64 million library that was designed to achieve LEED Silver certification. The 136,151-square-foot building features natural daylighting and a rainwater collection system that irrigates nearby plants.
Drexel U Commits to Green Globes Building Rating System
Drexel University (PA) has announced that it has become the first university in the country to commit to using the Green Globes green building rating system for all new construction and existing campus buildings. The system assesses existing buildings and construction projects for energy efficiency and effects on the environment. The third-party independent assessment process is usually completed one year after occupancy, and will result in a ranking based on Green Globes metrics. The results of all assessments will be posted on the website of Drexel’s sustainability program, “Drexel Green,” and will be available to the public for inspection.
Unity U House Achieves LEED Platinum
Unity House, the home for the President of Unity College (ME), has received LEED Platinum certification. The 1,930 square foot home features a passive solar design, solar panel heating, high-efficiency appliances, and low-flow water fixtures.
U Rhode Island Opens Science Building
The Center for Biotechnology and Life Sciences at the University of Rhode Island has officially opened. The 140,000-square-foot facility, which is registered for LEED Silver certification, features a green roof, a rain garden, a stormwater treatment system, daylight harvesting technologies, and an energy efficient heating and cooling system.
Yale U Med School Earns LEED Gold
The Yale University (CT) Amistad Street Building has been awarded LEED Gold certification. The structure, which houses the School of Medicine, features bike racks and showers, locally produced and recycled content construction materials, a storm water collection system, ultra low-flow lavatories, dual flush water toilets, and occupancy sensors.
Washington U in St. Louis University Center Receives LEED Gold
The William H. and Elizabeth Gray Danforth University Center at Washington University in St. Louis (MO) has received LEED Gold certification. The structure features low-flow faucets and low flow toilets, a 50,000-gallon rainwater tank below the building that collects excess rainwater and groundwater, light sensors near every outdoor window, and showers for alternative transportation commuters.
3 Vanderbilt U Res Halls Receive LEED Gold
Vanderbilt University's (TN) Stambaugh, Hank Ingram, and Murray Houses have received LEED Gold certification. Totaling more than 175,000 square-feet, and costing approximately $40 million, the new structures feature a green housekeeping program, a free ride to work program with Nashville's Metro Transit Authority, 26.4 percent recycled content in construction, and a diversion rate of over 74 percent of demolition and construction waste from landfills.
Case Western Reserve U Residence Hall Earns LEED Silver
Case Western Reserve University's (OH) Village at 115 residence hall complex has received LEED Silver certification. The residence hall, which opened in 2005, features efficient heating, lighting, and water systems; energy-efficient windows, walls, and roof systems; and recycled and regionally manufactured building materials. The structure uses 40 percent less energy annually than a similar conventional building.
Dickinson College Science Complex Receives LEED Gold
The Dickinson College (PA) Rector Science Complex, Stuart and James halls, have achieved LEED Gold certification. Completed last spring, Stuart and James halls feature a 30 percent reduction in water use, high-efficiency windows, exterior sun shading, interior light harvesting, occupancy sensors, and interior sunshades. The 90,000-square-foot building also contains four enthalpy heat wheel recovery mechanical systems.
U Georgia Plans 'World’s Most Sustainable Teaching & Research Lab'
The University of Georgia has begun planning what it anticipates will be the "World’s most Sustainable Teaching and Research Laboratory." The building, which will house the Odum School of Ecology, is being designed with the following elements in mind: pedagogy, biodiversity, livability, energy, water, and nutrient cycling. The building will feature indoor greenhouses, terrariums, aquariums, and eco-machines for wetland ecologies; rainwater collected from the roof and purified water from the eco-machine will feed the stream and be used for on-site irrigation; and a green roof will be planted in conjunction with lab curriculum to attract desired species. In addition, the structure is designed to face solar south, 100 percent of all interior spaces will be naturally daylit, and solar panels will be the primary energy source for the school.
Agnes Scott College Receives 2 Green Building Grants
Agnes Scott College (GA) has received an $80,000 grant from the Kresge Foundation Green Building Initiative to fund the renovation of Campbell Hall, the College's former science building, to the highest level of green building possible and to its optimal purpose. Agnes Scott also received a grant from the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta’s "Grants to Green" program, which will help fund the evaluation of the energy and water efficiency of the Robert W. Woodruff Physical Activities Building.
Drew U Opens Green Dorm
Drew University (NJ) has opened McLendon Hall dormitory, a new green building on campus. The structure, which will house 159 students, features a geothermal heating and cooling system, drought-resistant landscaping, light sensors, water saving showers and sinks, and carpeting and floor tiles made from recycled materials. The University is seeking LEED certification for the new structure.
Furman U Receives Award for Green Showcase Home
Furman University (SC) has received the Creative Partnership Award from District III of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education in recognition of the partnership that led to the construction of the Cliffs Cottage, an on campus showcase home that features sustainable building materials and energy-saving systems. The award recognizes the partnership projects between private businesses/organizations and educational institutions that result in creative solutions to advancement issues. Only one award is given annually.
Madonna U Receives Grant for Green Science & Media Building
Madonna University (MI) has received a $1.5 million challenge grant from The Kresge Foundation to support construction of its environmentally-friendly, $20 million Science and Media Building. To meet the challenge, Madonna will raise $3.25 million by January 2010, as part of the University’s Leading the Way Capital Campaign. The 60,000-square-foot building features recycled materials, energy efficient windows and lighting, and a green roof. The University plans to seek LEED certification for the new structure.
Warren Wilson College Res Hall Receives LEED Gold
Warren Wilson College's (NC) Village North residence hall has received LEED Gold certification. The new building features radiant floor heating, dual flush toilets, green cleaning products, Energy Star appliances, and a passive solar design. In addition, 20 percent of the building materials were from a 500-mile radius.
Catholic U Opens Green Residence Hall
Catholic University (DC) has opened Opus Hall, a seven-story green residence hall. The 127,000-square-foot, 402-bed structure features low VOC emitting materials, renewable interior finishes, enhanced daylight views, and energy-efficient and locally obtained insulated precast. In addition, a portion of the construction waste was recycled.
DePaul U Opens Green Science Building
DePaul University (IL) has opened the Monsignor Andrew J. McGowan Science Building, a $40 million green science education building. The 130,000-square-foot structure features high-reflective materials used in roofing and pavement fabrication, a green roof with two greenhouses and a planted garden, heat recovery systems, regional materials, and a water-efficient landscape. DePaul hopes to achieve LEED Silver or Gold certification for the new building.
Grand Rapids CC Installs Green Roof
Grand Rapids Community College (MI) has installed a two level green roof on its Advanced Technology Center. The first level features a dining area and an herb garden for the school's culinary institute and the second level includes an outdoor observation deck. Both levels feature signage that lists how the roof works, plant names, bloom times, and benefits of green roofs.
MUM Sustainable Living Center Receives Kresge Foundation Grant
The Maharishi University of Management (IA) has received a $50,000 grant from the Kresge Foundation Green Building Initiative to help plan the Sustainable Living Center on campus. Construction for the Sustainable Living Center is already underway, and the structure is scheduled to be completed in the fall of 2009.
Plymouth State U Residence Hall Wins Award for Green Design
Plymouth State University’s (NH) newest residential life building, Langdon Woods, has earned the Judges’ Choice recipient in the ”˜Building as a Teaching Tool’ category in College Planning and Management’s ”˜2008 Green Education Design Showcase.’ The award is published in the November 2008 editions of both "College Planning and Management" and "School Planning and Management." The judges noted that because of Langdon Woods environmental sustainability features, it is more than a campus building. Langdon Woods is also a LEED Gold certified building.
Saint Xavier U Res Hall Receives LEED Gold
Saint Xavier University's (IL) Agatha O'Brien Hall has received LEED Gold certification. The new 36,664-square-foot residence hall features natural and mechanical ventilation, a 50-foot high circular glass stair tower that draws tempered air to assist in summer night pre-cooling and winter heating, and a solar reflection system on the roof. In addition, 100 percent of the building's energy use is being offset by renewable energy sources.
U Hawaii at Manoa Medical School Receives LEED Certification
The John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa has received LEED certification. The building features low-flow fixtures, occupant sensors, green cleaning products, and light shelves over windows that reflect sunlight inside the building.
Eastern Mennonite U to Build Green Residence Hall
Eastern Mennonite University (VA) has announced plans to construct a new green residence hall on campus. The $6.5 million building will seek LEED Silver certification. The 120 bed facility will open in the fall of 2009.
Emory U Breaks Ground for Green Bookstore & Admissions Office
Emory University (GA) has started construction on a new three story, 58,000 square foot building. The facility will contain admissions offices and a new bookstore. The structure, which is being built in accordance with LEED certification standards, will feature native vegetation walls and a green courtyard.
Emory U to Build Green Science and Math Center
Emory University (GA) has announced plans to build a $35 million Science and Mathematics Building at Oxford College. The building has been designed to meet LEED certification standards. Green features will include: an on-site wetland, outdoor classroom seating, a green roof, and natural lighting.
Harvard U Unveils Green Housing Complex
Harvard University (MA) has unveiled a new green housing complex for graduate students. The 115,000 square foot building is expected to receive LEED certification. Green features of the 215 bed residence include regionally-sourced siding with recycled content, renewable bamboo flooring and wall paneling, and low-VOC finishes.
Suffolk U to Renovate Theatre for Student Housing
Suffolk University (MA) has announced plans to restore and renovate a theatre constructed in the 1800s. The Modern Theatre Project will include a new 184-seat theater, a 197 bed residence hall, and gallery space. The University has designed the building to achieve LEED certification.
Eastern Michigan U Breaks Ground for Green Science Building
Eastern Michigan University has broken ground for the 72,000 square foot addition to the Mark Jefferson Building, which will be undergoing a renovation as well. Green features to the new science addition will include a mechanical system that will reduce energy consumption, a green roof, and a rain garden.
Kwantlen Polytechnic U Building Receives LEED Gold
Kwantlen Polytechnic University's (BC) Cloverdale Campus has received LEED Gold certification. The $42.3-million, 17,203-sq. meter building accommodates up to 900 full-time students and contains 21 shops, 27 classrooms/labs, and additional space dedicated to computer labs, student services, a bookstore, a cafeteria, study lounges, and a library. The trades and technology training facility features low-flow toilets, waterless urinals, and sensor-controlled faucets, and 87 percent of the waste generated during construction was recycled. In addition, the placement and positioning of the building optimizes the energy performance of the campus by allowing more natural light.
Massachusetts Maritime Academy Res Hall Earns LEED Gold
A cadet residence hall at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy has been awarded LEED Gold certification. Sustainable design elements include on-site energy production, operable occupancy sensors, energy-efficient lighting, abundant daylighting, a high percentage of recycled content materials, and plumbing fixtures that have reduced domestic water use by 48%. Energy for the building comes from an on-site wind turbine, a rooftop photovoltaic array, and natural gas-powered cogeneration turbines.
Ohio State U 4-H Center Receives LEED Certification
The Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center on Ohio State University's campus has received LEED certification. The building, which received 30 points under the LEED system, features dual-flush toilets; recycled materials in carpeting, wall panels, and structural steel and concrete; and a geothermal heating and cooling system.
Saginaw Valley State U Building Receives LEED Silver
Saginaw Valley State University's (MI) Pioneer Hall has received LEED Silver certification. Green features include on-site water retention, high performance glass, a 30 percent reduction in water use, and an energy recovery system. In addition, half of all construction waste was diverted from the landfill, a minimum of 20 percent of the building materials contain recycled content, and part of the structure's wood materials come from sustainably-managed forests. Pioneer Hall, which underwent a $16 million expansion and renovation, opened in September 2008.
U Lethbridge Opens Water & Env'l Science Research Facility
The University of Lethbridge (AB) has opened its new Water and Environmental Science Building. The 60,000 square foot facility will house an Aquatic Research Facility, offices, meeting rooms, classrooms, wet labs, dry labs, and an Analytical Lab. Environmentally friendly features of the $27 million structure include a rainwater collection system, natural airflow, efficient air-conditioning and heating systems, and a three-story vertical greenhouse. The rainwater collected in the cistern will be used in building toilets and for irrigation.
LaGrange College Earns Energy Star Rating
Three residence halls at LaGrange College (GA) have earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star rating. So far, only 16 dormitories in the country, including LaGrange’s three dorms, have received the Energy Star. To earn it, a professional engineer must perform an audit on a building, measuring the energy-efficient products and practices on a 1 to 100 scale. Facilities achieving a score of 75 or higher are eligible for the award.
Middlebury College Building Awarded LEED-NC Platinum
Middlebury College’s (VT) Franklin Environmental Center has been awarded LEED-NC Platinum certification. The Center, which is used for classes, seminars, faculty offices and student study areas, features locally supplied slate, stone, granite, and Forest Stewardship Council certified hardwood.
UC Merced Redesigns Construction Plans to Increase Green Space
The University of California, Merced has redesigned its plans to construct student housing, a sports complex, and a research and development park to incorporate more green space and reduce environmental damage. The University decreased the size of the new campus and accompanying student neighborhoods from 3,025 to 2,766 acres. In addition, buildings have been relocated within the plan to reduce wetland impact by one third. The University also plans to undertake mitigation measures for the damage the new construction will cause.
U Illinois Breaks Ground for Supercomputer Center
The University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign has broken ground for its new 88,000 square foot building that will house a new petascale supercomputer, which will be online in 2011. UI plans to keep the new machine cool by routing chilled water into the frame that holds the computer’s processors, which should reduce energy use by approximately 40 percent. The facility is expected to earn LEED Gold.
