Second Natures Announces Green Building Grants for Campuses

Second Nature has announced its "Green Building 101Technical Assistance Grants." 15 colleges and universities received up to $2,000 each to provide building professionals working on campus facilities projects with training in ‘green building.’ Located throughout the US, the recipients are under-resourced colleges and universities, including community colleges and minority-serving institutions. The recipients are from the following institutions: Blackfeet Community College (MT); Bunker Hill Community College (MA); Campbellsville University (KY); Cape Cod Community College (MA); College of Menominee Nation (WI); Edmonds Community College (WA); Flathead Valley Community College (MT); Gaston College (NC); Hilbert College (NY); Leech Lake Tribal College (MN); Luzerne county Community College (PA); Northwest Arkansas Community College; Northwest Bossier Parish Community College (LA); Northwest-Shoals Community College (AL); and California State University, Monterey Bay.

U California Berkeley Res Hall Renovation Receives LEED-CI Gold

The University of California, Berkeley's Clark Kerr Campus renovation has received LEED Gold certification under LEED Commercial Interiors version 2.0. Building interiors of the residential facility were completely renovated while efficient new water, power, heating, and communications systems were put in place. The facility includes low VOC-emitting materials, Energy Star appliances, bike storage rooms, and new recycling rooms. Construction began in May 2008 and was completed for the start of the Fall 2009 semester.

U South Florida Science & Technology Building Earns LEED Gold

The new Science and Technology building at the University of South Florida, St. Petersburg has received LEED Gold certification. The 35,000-square-foot structure was designed by faculty members and administrators.

Columbia College Builds Green Media Center

Columbia College (IL) has opened its new Media Production Center, which was designed and built to achieve LEED Gold certification. The building features a partial green roof to help with noise reduction and insulation for heating and cooling. Other green features include use of natural light and recycled materials.

San Diego City College Opens Green Exercise & Athletics Building

San Diego City College has opened its newly-renovated Health, Exercise Science, and Athletics Building, a two-story, 24,615-square-foot facility that includes a state-of-the-art sports training room, a weight room, locker rooms, and classrooms for martial arts, spinning, yoga, and kickboxing. The structure, which is registered for LEED certification, allows diffused light to enter the building, features Energy Star roofing materials, and contains low-flow and waterless plumbing fixtures. In addition, all exterior glazing has weather-seal and specialized coatings to reduce solar heat gain.

Yale U Kroon Hall Achieves LEED Platinum

Yale University's (CT) Kroon Hall has received LEED Platinum certification. The new home of the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies was designed to use 81 percent less water and 58 percent less energy than a comparable building, and to generate 25 percent of its electricity on site from renewable sources. The east-west orientation of the building takes advantage of solar access and natural ventilation. The building is highly insulated and a green roof serves as a courtyard and covers a service lot and storage rooms below. Fresh air ventilation and free cooling cycles on air handling units reduce the need for air conditioning most of the year. Indicator lights alert occupants when conditions are suitable for opening windows. Concrete walls and exposed concrete ceilings retain heat in winter and help cool in the summer.

California Polytechnic State U Res Hall Earns LEED Gold

California Polytechnic State University's newly completed student housing project, Poly Canyon Village, has earned LEED Gold certification. The apartment development houses 2700 residents. Standards for the designation included low volatile organic compounds material, reduction of water use, water-efficient landscaping, use of recycled content, and 90 percent diversion from the landfill of construction waste.

John Hopkins U Receives LEED-CI Silver Certification

John Hopkins University (MD) School of Medicine has received a LEED for Commercial Interiors (LEED-CI) Silver certification for its renovated Department of Facilities Management offices and Clinical Information Systems Education Center. The two offices are located in the basement of a larger building and received LEED certification by including features such as day lighting, use of recycled furniture, and recycling construction material.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology Housing Receives LEED Gold

Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Ashdown House has received LEED Gold certification. The graduate residence that houses more than 400 students and includes a full dining area earned its Gold rating for a variety of green features: the building’s landscaping and irrigation systems use water from a non-potable source; a storm-water management system significantly reduces storm-water runoff; maximized daylight is available in 95 percent of regularly occupied spaces; and low-flow fixtures reduce water use by more than 20 percent.

Georgian Court U Wellness Center Awarded LEED Gold

Georgian Court University (NJ) has been awarded LEED Gold certification for its newly constructed athletics and academic building, the Wellness Center. The 66,000-square-foot, $26-million facility uses wood from forests grown specifically for harvest; incorporates a heating, venting, and air conditioning system that lowers the structure's energy use; includes radiant floor systems, natural daylighting, and a storm water management system that features a retention pond, more than 4,500 feet of underground drainage pipes to channel runoff, and a lightweight, vegetated roof system that also mitigates storm water runoff. The center was completed in 2008.

King Abdullah U Receives LEED Platinum

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (Saudi Arabia) has been awarded LEED Platinum certification. Green features include 100 shared electric vehicles spread across campus; four megawatts of solar power; and a long-term habitat preservation, restoration, and protection plan.

Princeton U Bogle Hall Features Green Roof

Princeton University (NJ) has completed a new dormitory in its Butler College. The new building, Bogle Hall, houses 20 undergraduate and four graduate students and features a green roof planted with succulent sedum to reduce stormwater runoff and improve heating and cooling efficiency.

U North Florida Building Receives LEED Gold Certification

The University of North Florida's newest building on campus has received LEED Gold certification. The 107,000-square-foot College of Education and Human Resources building utilizes natural light, energy efficiency, and recycled materials to make it more sustainable than traditional buildings. The $18 million project includes teaching labs, faculty offices, meeting rooms and support spaces.

U Wisconsin Superior Opens Student Center

The University of Wisconsin, Superior has opened its new student center, the Yellowjacket Union. The 90,000-square-foot $22 million building incorporates a green roof, large south-facing windows, and a rain garden. The University is seeking LEED Silver certification on the building.

Chandler-Gilbert CC Opens Green Building

Chandler-Gilbert Community College (AZ) has opened Ironwood Hall, its first new construction in 11 years. The building houses 22 classrooms, 9 science labs, and a number of offices and lounges. The building incorporates green features such as insulated concrete and water reclamation, and hopes to achieve LEED Silver certification.

Bowdoin College Health & Fitness Center Awarded LEED Silver

The Buck Center for Health and Fitness at Bowdoin College (ME) has earned LEED Silver certification. The building contains several green performance elements, including energy-efficient lighting and water fixtures, certified wood, and eco-friendly furniture and carpeting, as well as water-efficient landscaping.

Emory U Structure Receives LEED Gold

The Emory University (GA) Goizueta Foundation Center, a classroom and administration building for the business school, has received LEED Gold certification. The 101,920-square-foot building contains low-flow fixtures that reduce water use by 20 percent, an underground cistern to capture storm water that will be used to irrigate campus plantings, and a protective tree save area. 50 percent of the building material used during construction was made from recycled content, and 86 percent of the construction waste was diverted from local landfills.

Goucher College Opens Green Anthenaem

Goucher College (MD) has opened its 103,000-square-foot, four-story Anthenaem, which is seeking LEED Silver certification. Features include two green roofs, a rain garden, high-performance glass, recycled materials, and innovative mechanical systems of optimal efficiency.

Harvard U Lab Achieves LEED Gold for Commercial Interiors

The Harvard University (MA) Faculty of Arts and Sciences’ Schreiber Lab has achieved LEED Gold for Commercial Interiors version 2.0. A renovation of the 1,700-square-foot chemistry lab was completed in the summer of 2008. Energy-saving features include: high-performance, variable air volume fume hoods; occupancy sensors that will turn off the overhead lighting and setback ventilation rates and temperature setpoints when a space is unoccupied; and commissioning of mechanical and electrical systems by a third-party. In addition, the project utilized salvaged office and classroom furniture from storage areas within the Cabot Chemistry Complex. 38 percent of the total value of materials used in the project came from materials with recycled content and 80 percent of the construction waste was diverted from landfills to recycling facilities.

Rochester Institute of Technology Building Receives LEED Platinum

Rochester Institute of Technology's (NY) new University Services Center has been certified LEED Platinum. The three-story and 54,000-square-foot structure opened last summer and serves as the administrative hub for various RIT support services. Green highlights include: a 48.6 percent energy cost reduction over industry standards for heating and cooling efficiency; a 43 percent reduction in water usage over national requirements for fixture performance; and 35 percent of the building’s electricity is supplied from renewable sources, including on-site solar photovoltaic panels. The University Services Center is located on a previously developed site on campus that is accessible from existing parking and multiple public transportation lines. To encourage alternative transportation, the facility offers secure bicycle racks and changing rooms that feature showers. In an effort to promote biodiversity, the project restored 50 percent of the site with native and adapted vegetation that is indigenous to the region.

U Central Florida Science Building Receives LEED Gold

The University of Central Florida Physical Sciences I building has received LEED Gold certification. Completed this year, Physical Sciences I was constructed on a parking lot, so no untouched land or natural habitat was eliminated. Native landscaping covers 5,500 square feet around the building, providing shade and habitat for animals. Other green features include high-efficiency water fixtures resulting in a 30 percent reduction in potable water consumption; an air system that brings only fresh air into the building; and reflective roofing material that keeps the building cooler. Native vegetation will also be installed on the roof to provide additional cooling benefits, new habitat, and water runoff reduction.

Young Harris College Opens LEED Silver-Seeking Residence Hall

Young Harris College (GA) has opened Enotah Hall, a $16 million, 200-bed facility whose design offers green features. The 62,500-square-foot, three-story building, which is targeting LEED Silver certification, contains natural daylighting, regional and recycled construction materials, FSC-certified wood, and low-VOC paints and sealants. The residential wings are oriented so that windows are within 15 degrees of due south or due north, maximizing daylighting while minimizing late afternoon glare. Deep roof overhangs help shade the upper terrace, and the two-story porch provides coverage at the building’s west-facing curtainwall openings. Rainchains direct water from the terrace into the planters at the base of the porch’s masonry columns. The closed water loop that serves the mechanical unit passes through 72 geothermal wells, each 400 feet deep, where heat from the water is dissipated into the earth.

Bellevue College Building Receives LEED Gold Certification

Bellevue College’s (WA) S Building has been awarded LEED Gold certification. The 64,000-square-foot science and technology building has 16 laboratories and numerous high-tech features. Its green attributes include numerous water and energy saving devices, use of renewable energy for 1/3 of its power, and the recycling of a large amount of construction waste.

Georgian Court U Wellness Center Awarded LEED Gold

Georgian Court University (NJ) has been awarded LEED Gold certification for its newly constructed athletics and academic building, the Wellness Center. The 66,000-square-foot, $26-million facility uses wood from forests grown specifically for harvest; incorporates a heating, venting, and air conditioning system that lowers the structure's energy use; includes radiant floor systems, natural daylighting, and a storm water management system that features a retention pond, more than 4,500 feet of underground drainage pipes to channel runoff, and a lightweight, vegetated roof system that also mitigates storm water runoff. The center was completed in 2008.

Hamilton College Renovation Receives LEED Gold Certification

Hamilton College’s (NY) Kirner-Johnson Building has been awarded LEED Gold certification for a recent renovation. The College installed energy efficient mechanical systems in the 40-year-old building that are expected to save 25 to 28 percent in energy costs.

Ntl Graduate School of Quality Mgmt Earns Energy Star Rating

The National Graduate School of Quality Management (MA) headquarters building has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) ENERGY STAR for energy efficiency and environmental protection. The rating signifies that the building’s energy performance rates in the top 25 percent of facilities nationwide. Commercial buildings that earn the ENERGY STAR use an average of 35 percent less energy than typical buildings and also release 35 percent less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. In addition to high efficiency lighting and HVAC improvements, water conserving fixtures and directly recyclable carpeting with low VOC paints were part of the renovation.

Princeton U Bogle Hall Features Green Roof

Princeton University (NJ) has completed a new dormitory in its Butler College. The new building, Bogle Hall, houses 20 undergraduate and four graduate students and features a green roof planted with succulent sedum to reduce stormwater runoff and improve heating and cooling efficiency.

U Cincinnati Building Receives LEED Gold

The Center for Academic and Research Excellence (CARE)/Crawley Building in the University of Cincinnati (OH) Academic Health Center has been awarded LEED Gold certification. Officially opened in September 2008, the CARE/Crawley Building features a 90,000-gallon stormwater detention system, reflective roofing, an atrium with national lighting and ventilation, and motion sensors. In addition, nearly 98 percent of the construction-related waste was recycled. The previous building on the site, a concrete parking garage, was recycled on site and used in part as fill to the surrounding landscape.

U North Florida Building Receives LEED Gold Certification

The University of North Florida's newest building on campus has received LEED Gold certification. The 107,000-square-foot College of Education and Human Resources building utilizes natural light, energy efficiency, and recycled materials to make it more sustainable than traditional buildings. The $18 million project includes teaching labs, faculty offices, meeting rooms and support spaces.

U Wisconsin Superior Opens Student Center

The University of Wisconsin, Superior has opened its new student center, the Yellowjacket Union. The 90,000-square-foot $22 million building incorporates a green roof, large south-facing windows, and a rain garden. The University is seeking LEED Silver certification on the building.

Butte College Opens Green Student Services Building

Butte College (CA) has opened a new green building that brings together all student services under one roof. The three-story Student and Administrative Services building boasts a number of green features including solar panels, skylights, and no-flush urinals. College officials hope the building will receive LEED Gold certification.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical U Opens Green Garage

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (FL) has opened its new green garage. The garage, which features a floor made of recycled tires, will be used by students to develop a car for the EcoCar Challenge, a competition sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, General Motors, and other organizations, and a reduced-emissions airplane for NASA's Green Flight Challenge.

Fairfield U Jesuit Community Center Incorporates Sustainability

A new building has opened on Fairfield University’s (CT) campus – the Fairfield Jesuit Community Center. The Center is the location for Jesuit scholars to live and study and features a number of green aspects: the building utilizes geothermal heating and cooling, recycled building materials, a green roof, and an abundance of natural lighting.

Tufts U School of Dental Medicine Adds Green Addition

Tufts University's (MA) 10-story School of Dental Medicine building has been topped off with a five-story green addition. The building, constructed in the 1970s, was always intended to be taller. The five-story addition, which was constructed while the building was still open, is expected to receive LEED certification.

U Illinois, Urbana-Champaign Business Facility Awarded LEED Platinum

The University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign’s new business building has received LEED Platinum certification. The Business Instructional Facility generates eight percent of its power from solar panels, has a green roof to reduce run off, and recycled 75 percent of its construction waste. The building is estimated to cut costs by up to $300,000 a year compared to similar traditional buildings on campus.

Yale U Stoekel Hall Receives LEED Gold Certification

Yale University's (CT) Stoeckel Hall, which reopened in January of 2009, has received LEED Gold certification. Originally built in 1897, the structure now contains high efficiency lighting and mechanical systems, high-performance windows, and improved insulation. The building faí§ade was restored and 90 percent of the original walls and floors were reused, reducing demand for new materials, and 85 percent of the waste produced during construction was recycled.

2 College Arts Complexes Receive LEED Certifications

Yale University (CT) and Buffalo State College (NY) have received LEED Gold and Silver certifications respectively for arts complexes on campus. Yale's newly renovated and expanded Paul Rudolph Hall included the restoration of exterior walls, the installation of historically correct windows, and upgrades to all building facilities including the exhibition gallery, jury and studio spaces, study areas, and administrative and faculty offices. The 114,000-square-foot structure provides classrooms, seminar rooms, lecture halls, faculty offices, and a public café. Buffalo State's Burchfield Penney Art Center received its certification for a 40 percent reduction in water consumption, incorporation of local materials in building construction, and an energy efficient HVAC system.

U Miami Builds Green Medical Center

The University of Miami’s (FL) new Clinical Research Building has received LEED certification. The 15-story, 336,000-square-foot building incorporates drought tolerant landscaping that reduces irrigation by 53 percent, energy-efficient HVAC systems, and the use of renewable sources for 78 percent of the building’s electricity.

Worcester Polytechnic Inst Building Recognized as Green Teaching Tool

Worcester Polytechnic Institute's (MA) East Hall has been awarded the 'Judge's Choice' honor from the EducationDesignShowcase.com in its "Building as a Teaching Tool" category. East Hall's design-and-construction process and sustainable features were recognized as "educational opportunities" for the campus community. As part of the building's "teaching tool" features, the residence hall's project team engaged WPI's Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) faculty and students in planning and discussions throughout the construction process. Furthermore, the building's green roof and stormwater monitoring/testing station also serve as teaching tools by allowing for CEE faculty and students to study stormwater quality and flow rate, and conduct green roof technology research.

Mesa College Opens Green Police Station

San Diego Community College District's Mesa College (CA) has opened its new Police Station, a 7,000-square-foot facility that is registered for LEED Gold certification. 75 percent of construction waste was diverted, the attached parking structure features solar panels, and the facility is 12.9 percent more efficient than mandated by code.

U Arizona Expands Student Recreation Center with LEED Standards

The University of Arizona has expanded its student recreation center and incorporated green attributes. The building now features passive solar design to help reduce the sun’s heat on the south side of the building. UA was also able to divert more than 75 percent of its construction waste from landfills and hopes to achieve a LEED Platinum rating.

Villanova U Constructs Eco-Friendly Law School Building

Villanova University (PA) has opened its new 170,000-square-foot law school building, which features a 45,000-square-foot library and classrooms designed for Socratic methodology. The building hopes to achieve LEED Gold certification and features a number of green attributes including locally quarried stone and brick, storm water treatment in a manmade wetland, and maximization of natural lighting.

Rice U Engineering Facility Receives LEED Gold

Rice University (TX) has received LEED Gold certification for its newly renovated Oshman Engineering Design Kitchen. The 12,000-square-foot building, which features a vegetated roof, will use an estimated 19 percent less energy and 31 percent less water than if it had been built to typical codes and standards. In addition, almost half of the materials used in renovation were composted from recycled sources, and 66 percent of the construction and demolition waste was recycled.

U Colorado Boulder Renovates Dorm to LEED Gold

The University of Colorado, Boulder has received LEED Gold certification for the renovation of Arnett Hall. The residential building’s renovation was finished in May 2008 and since then has realized a 20-percent reduction in energy use and a 39-percent reduction in water use. Green features include sensors that suspend heating and cooling systems when windows are opened, aerators on faucets, and recycled materials.

Universities at Shady Grove Opens Green Parking Garage

The Universities at Shady Grove (MD) has celebrated the opening of its first new parking garage, which features a green design and adds 600 parking spaces to the campus. The garage features designated parking spaces for hybrid, carpool vehicles and bicycles, and the structure was built with LED lighting and includes daylight sensors to reduce power requirements and light pollution. Its white concrete top deck helps to decrease the heat island effect. Materials with recycled content such as fly ash, concrete, and rebar were used as well as carbon fiber reinforced precast. Rainwater collection, water efficient landscaping, and water control devices also reduce water runoff. In addition, there is an energy efficient elevator and reclaimed green spaces.

Arizona State U Polytechnic Complex Receives LEED Gold

The new academic complex at Arizona State University, Polytechnic Campus has been awarded LEED Gold certification. The complex consists of six buildings that feature recycled concrete, photovoltaic panels, and use of natural light.

Caltech Opens Green Ctr for Information Science and Technology

California Institute of Technology has opened its Walter and Leonore Annenberg Center for Information Science and Technology. The structure is now home to interdisciplinary research and instruction that address the growth and impact of information as it relates to all scientific and engineering practices. The new facility, which is registered for LEED Gold certification, has achieved a 30 percent reduction in water use, a 28 percent reduction in energy use, and a 2 percent use of recycled contents or local or regional materials. The Center also contains storm water control mechanisms, individual HVAC controls and operable windows, and a minimum of 75 percent of spaces with daylight access.

Guilford College Restoration Project Receives LEED Silver

Guilford College (NC) has received LEED Silver certification for its restoration of Archdale Hall. The building was constructed in 1885 and has been used as a residence hall and faculty offices. The $800,000 renovation included the addition of a rainwater collection system, waterless urinals, and blown-in insulation.

Ithaca College Dedicates New Green Building

Ithaca College (NY) has dedicated its new Peggy Ryan Williams Center. The building was designed to LEED platinum specifications and hopes to achieve certification in the future. Green features include a 6,500-square-foot green roof, a geothermal system, and a 12,000-gallon tank to collect rainwater.

Lawrence U Opens Green Student Center

Lawrence University (WI) has completed its new 107,000-square-foot Richard and Margot Warch Campus Center. LU is seeking LEED Gold certification for the $35 million Center, which features local materials, a green roof, abundant day lighting, and native landscaping.