Buildings
Introduction
Buildings are generally the largest user of energy and the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions on campuses. Buildings also use significant amounts of potable water. Institutions can design, build, and maintain buildings in ways that provide a safe and healthy indoor environment for inhabitants while simultaneously mitigating the building’s impact on the outdoor environment.
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A Beacon to Savings - Campus to Replace Lights for More Energy Efficiency
- California State University, Fullerton (CA)
By Pamela McLaren
How many people does it take to switch out a light bulb? On a college campus dealing with more than 75,000 lamps — it will take a …
- Posted Oct. 10, 2024
- Photographs
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Emera IDEA Building and Richard Murray Design Buildings achieved LEED Platinum Certification
- Dalhousie University (NS)
In Fall 2023, Dalhousie University's Emera IDEA and Richard Murray Design buildings, located on it's Engineering and Architecture campus, achieved LEED Platinum status, the first time the university has received …
- Posted Aug. 20, 2024
- Photographs
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STARS of Data Accuracy
- University of Houston (TX)
Beginning in 2019, University of Houston required all new buildings and major renovations to be designed and certified to LEED Silver or better standards. Since then, three projects have met …
- Posted July 31, 2024
- Photographs
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PolyForm celebrates mission, spirit of Human Ecology
- Cornell University (NY)
Students pass by the PolyForm sculpture near Martha Van Rennsselear Hall. The vision: A piece that evoked and celebrated College of Human Ecology’s interdisciplinary, human-centric mission spanning science, technology and …
- Posted July 31, 2024
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Campus Barcelona - Executive Education Building - Photovoltaic installation
- IESE Business School - Barcelona (Barcelona)
Campus Barcelona - Executive Education Building - Photovoltaic installation
- Posted July 29, 2024
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Campus Barcelona - Executive Education Building
- IESE Business School - Barcelona (Barcelona)
Campus Barcelona - Executive Education Building All lecture rooms and common areas are equipped with a CO2 concentration control system.
- Posted July 29, 2024
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Campus Madrid - Executive Building with LEED Gold Certification
- IESE Business School - Barcelona (Barcelona)
Campus Madrid - Executive Building with LEED Gold Certification
- Posted July 29, 2024
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Campus Barcelona - The MBA Program is offered at this Campus.
- IESE Business School - Barcelona (Barcelona)
Campus Barcelona - The MBA Program is offered at this Campus.
- Posted July 29, 2024
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San Jose State University
- San Jose State University (CA)
San Jose State University students, faculty, and staff are deeply committed to sustainability. SJSU offers a wide range of academic courses and programs on this critical issue as well as …
- Posted July 10, 2024
- Photographs
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Microgrid Workforce Development Training
- Arizona State University at the Polytechnic Campus (AZ)
Arizona State University's (ASU) Laboratory for Energy And Power Solutions (LEAPS) offers over 300 hours of training in energy systems, microgrids, minigrids (off-grid systems), grid modernization, and other energy-related topics. …
- Posted July 10, 2024
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Sustainable Heat: Options for Decarbonizing Cold-Region Higher Education Campus Heating Systems
- Bates College (ME)
- Boston University (MA)
- Connecticut College (CT)
- Denison University (OH)
- Pennsylvania State University (PA)
- The Ohio State University (OH)
- University of Iowa (IA)
- University of Maine (ME)
American higher education campuses in cold-weather areas have traditionally used oil- and coal-fired boilers to generate steam for heating. But many institutions, including some that have already shifted to natural …
- Posted June 17, 2024
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Titan Team Creates Ingenious Ideas for Sustainable House of the Future
- California State University, Fullerton (CA)
Civil engineering majors Isai Jimenez and Daniel Santa Maria are learning how to build a sustainable house for the future, focus on issues facing Orange County housing and reduce climate …
- Posted May 6, 2024
- Photographs
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CSUF Engineering Team Selected for Competition to Build Sustainable Home, Address Issues Facing Orange County Housing
- California State University, Fullerton (CA)
To help solve California’s housing needs through sustainable development, a Cal State Fullerton student and faculty engineering team has been selected to participate in the first-ever Orange County Sustainability Decathlon. …
- Posted May 6, 2024
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Lyon Software Earth Day 2024 Clean Up
- Lyon Software (OH)
The Lyon Software team cleaned up our business park for Earth Day.
- Posted April 23, 2024
- Photographs
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University of Rochester’s Analysis of WexWindows
- University of Rochester (NY)
A pilot study was conducted at the Medical Center G7011 area to evaluate the effectiveness of WexWindows as a potential retrofit solution for University of Rochester’s aging and underperforming windows. …
- Posted Jan. 10, 2024
- Case Studies
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Sustainable Building Technology (MS)
- University of Texas at Arlington (TX)
A 30 credit post-professional degree that answers the need for practitioners in a diverse number of fields to gain a more comprehensive understanding of new emerging technologies in the areas …
- Posted Dec. 13, 2023
- Academic Programs
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Sustainable Building Technology (Certificate)
- Central New Mexico Community College (NM)
This certificate is designed to introduce concepts of sustainable construction and construction management through theory and lab courses. Students completing the certificate may continue on to the Construction Management A.A.S. …
- Posted Dec. 13, 2023
- Academic Programs
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Sustainable Building Systems (MS)
- Northeastern University (MA)
The graduates of the Master of Science in Sustainable Building Systems program should display a high level of engineering knowledge in a broad range of architectural engineering, civil engineering, and …
- Posted Dec. 13, 2023
- Academic Programs
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50001 Ready Energy Management Assessment
- United States Department of Energy (DC)
Using this Excel-based tool, you can assess what management practices you already have in place that can be leveraged to meet ISO 50001 requirements, and get valuable insight into “gaps” …
- Posted Nov. 6, 2023
- Tools
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Austin Community College, Rio Grande Campus LEED Platinum Renovation Project
- Austin Community College (TX)
Austin Community College LEED Platinum Renovation - The Rio Grande Campus project involved the renovation of a nearly 100-year-old campus building, and is the first LEED Platinum certification for Austin …
- Posted Sept. 2, 2023
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SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
- State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (NY)
SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
- Posted Aug. 31, 2023
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ETEC building at UAlbany
- University at Albany (NY)
Aerial photo of the ETEC (Emerging Technology and Entrepreneurship Complex) LEED Platinum certified building at the University at Albany. The building houses our Departments of Atmospheric and Environmental Science, Department …
- Posted Aug. 30, 2023
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10,000-gallon rainwater cistern
- Muhlenberg College (PA)
Terrace showing outline of Fahy Commons 10,000-gallon rainwater cistern.
- Posted Aug. 30, 2023
- Photographs
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UVM_rooftop and interior
- University of Vermont (VT)
A class on stormwater management meets on the roof of UVM's George D. Aiken Center
- Posted Aug. 30, 2023
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Ball State University students and faculty incorporate passive house principles into a design-build of low-income housing which won the DOE Solar Decathlon
- Ball State University (IN)
Ball State University students and faculty incorporate passive house principles into a design-build of low-income housing which won the 2023 DOE Solar Decathlon
- Posted Aug. 28, 2023
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Ball State University students incorporate passive house principles into a design-build of low-income housing which won the DOE Solar Decathlon
- Ball State University (IN)
Ball State University students incorporate passive house principles into a design-build of low-income housing which won the 2023 DOE Solar Decathlon
- Posted Aug. 28, 2023
- Photographs
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Bennington College Commons Building
- Bennington College (VT)
This holistic remaking of the historic and beloved center of campus community life combines dining, social, and academic areas within a collection of dynamic spaces. The building is animated by …
- Posted Aug. 25, 2023
- Photographs
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Bennington College Commons Building
- Bennington College (VT)
This holistic remaking of the historic and beloved center of campus community life combines dining, social, and academic areas within a collection of dynamic spaces. The building is animated by …
- Posted Aug. 25, 2023
- Photographs
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Bennington College Commons
- Bennington College (VT)
This holistic remaking of the historic and beloved center of campus community life combines dining, social, and academic areas within a collection of dynamic spaces. The building is animated by …
- Posted Aug. 25, 2023
- Photographs
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Solar Panels at The Catholic University of America
- The Catholic University of America (DC)
Solar Panels at The Catholic University of America.
- Posted Aug. 22, 2023
- Photographs
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Is IoT monitoring key to improve building energy efficiency? Case study of a smart campus in Spain
- University of Zaragoza
This work validates and demonstrates the potential of a methodology based on a continuous monitoring system with real time measurements, as a key support to make decisions on buildings energy …
- Posted June 15, 2023
- Publications
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Transdisciplinary learning exercise on post occupancy evaluation and retrofitting of built spaces
- College of Engineering Trivandrum
The need to develop sustainable strategies and solutions to design and retrofit buildings to be comfortable living environments that reduce energy and resource consumption is crucial in achieving the sustainable …
- Posted June 15, 2023
- Publications
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Exploring the Intersection of Science and Policy: The Case Study of Installing Solar Panels and Energy Storage System at the University of Ottawa
- University of Ottawa (ON)
Buildings account for up to a third of total world greenhouse gas GHG emissions, and this pattern is expected to persist. By 2050, cities will be home to 70 % …
- Posted June 15, 2023
- Publications
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Fahy Commons for Public Engagement and Innovation Open House
- Muhlenberg College (PA)
On January 31st, the campus community filled the halls of the new Fahy Commons, visiting the academic and program spaces getting an up-close look at its remarkable sustainability features. Sustainability …
- Posted June 7, 2023
- Photographs
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Boston University Center for Computing & Data Sciences
- Boston University (MA)
Boston University’s Center for Computing & Data Sciences is the University’s largest [academic building] addition to the Charles River Campus in 50 years and its most sustainable building to date. …
- Posted May 31, 2023
- Case Studies
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Reducing Energy in the Campus Theatre Complex
- Texas A&M University (TX)
Rudder Theatre Complex (RTC) supports a large variety of campus events. Whether it is a Broadway show or new student and family orientation session, the RTC experiences high usage year-round. …
- Posted May 22, 2023
- Photographs
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Educating the Scientific Community to Adopt Sustainability
- My Green Lab (CA)
Engaging scientists in sustainability efforts has long been proven to be an effective way of reducing the environmental impact of laboratories. By implementing actions to improve sustainability, scientists experience a …
- Posted May 17, 2023
- Conference Presentations
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Dynamic Cooling Load Management via Room Set Point Adjustments
- Stanford University (CA)
Stanford University’s COOLER research program began in the summer of 2020 and ran through 2022. This unique collaboration between the Land, Buildings, and Real Estate’s (LBRE) “Operations” team and a …
- Posted May 17, 2023
- Conference Presentations
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Scaling the Living Building Challenge on Campus
- Harvard University (MA)
- International Living Future Institute (WA)
Harvard University and the International Living Future Institute (ILFI) are working together to scale the impact of regenerative design on campus through the Living Building Challenge. We will focus on …
- Posted May 17, 2023
- Conference Presentations
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Effective Decarbonization Strategies for Large Campus Buildings
- Boston University (MA)
To meet the imperative to decarbonize as quickly and as deeply as possible, the U.S. existing commercial building sector offers significant potential to pay early dividends on climate action. U.S. …
- Posted May 17, 2023
- Conference Presentations
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Campus Sustainability Starts in the Lab
- My Green Lab (CA)
Recent years show a global movement in sustainability as more organizations see the benefit of reducing their operations’ environmental impact. Thousands of universities have pledged to be more sustainable through …
- Posted May 17, 2023
- Conference Presentations
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Academic Collaborations that Achieve Sustainable Operations
- The Ohio State University (OH)
- AASHE (MA)
- ENGIE (TX)
This webinar will explore how innovative universities are leveraging comprehensive energy management partnerships to collaborate with private industry, research and deploy new technologies, and meet sustainability goals.
In 2017, The …
- Posted Feb. 16, 2023
- Videos & Webinars
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Citrus College Educational Development Center
- Citrus College (CA)
Citrus College was recognized with an excellence in Energy & Sustainability Award for the Educational Development Center modernization project:
"Best innovative project -Medium size District" Award
- Posted Feb. 2, 2023
- Photographs
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Specifying Residential Upholstered Furniture to Safeguard Human Health and Well-Being: A Toolkit for Reducing Fires and Chemical Risks
- Chemical Insights (GA)
This toolkit can be applied by sustainability professionals and procurement staff at higher education institutions looking to acquire environmentally sustainable and healthy furniture materials for residence halls and other campus …
- Posted Jan. 31, 2023
- Tools
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McGill Sustainable Labs Guide
- McGill University (QC)
The McGill Sustainable Labs Guide contains a variety of actionable steps that lab users can take to make their lab operations more sustainable. Some of these practices can be applied …
- Posted Jan. 17, 2023
- Tools
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LEED Gold: Student Recreation Center
- California State University, Fullerton (CA)
Going for the Gold has special meaning for Cal State Fullerton’s Student Recreation Center, which has the honor of being the first CSUF building awarded a Gold Leadership in Energy …
- Posted Nov. 29, 2022
- Photographs
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LEED Platinum: Student Housing Phase III
- California State University, Fullerton (CA)
Cal State Fullerton’s newest student housing complex is a step ahead of any statewide — it is the first in California awarded the Platinum Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design …
- Posted Nov. 29, 2022
- Photographs
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Webinar: An Accessible Roadmap to Healthy Indoor Air Quality
- University of Georgia (GA)
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (DC)
- AASHE Test Campus
- Healthy Schools Campaign (IL)
Two years ago it was a struggle to generate interest in topics like ventilation and HVAC maintenance, but the COVID pandemic has highlighted just how much the air we breathe …
- Posted Nov. 18, 2022
- Videos & Webinars
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Energy and Sustainability Investment Plan
- Weber State University (UT)
WSU's Energy and Sustainability Investment Plan's provides a road map for converting all of the University's buildings over to all electric buildings powered by renewable energy.
- Posted Oct. 28, 2022
- Publications
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UMass Lowell Rooftop Urban Agriculture
- University of Massachusetts Lowell (MA)
Rooftop Urban Agriculture - The Office of Sustainability at University of Massachusetts Lowell has developed an innovative urban agriculture program in partnership with Mill City Grows, a local food justice …
- Posted Aug. 3, 2022
- Photographs
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This tab provides access to data collected through AASHE’s Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System™ (STARS). STARS is a transparent, self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance. STARS enables meaningful comparisons over time and across institutions using a common set of measurements developed with broad participation from the campus sustainability community.
All responses reference content from reports under the latest version of STARS, version 2.2. AASHE membership and log-in is required.
OP 3: Building Design & Construction
- Percent of building space certified for green building construction and renovation
- A list of green building new construction and major renovation projects
- An inventory of green building new construction and major renovation projects
- Website URL - Green building design and construction program
OP 4: Building Design & Construction
- Percent of building space certified for operations and maintenance
- Description of sustainable operations and maintenance policies and/or programs
- Website URL - Existing building operations and maintenance
Additional analysis on scores and quantitative fields can be conducted using the STARS Benchmarking Tool.