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.

Featured Resources

932 resources

Bolster Your Ongoing Efforts with ENERGY STAR

  • Radford University (VA)

Radford University (RU) is working towards a goal of climate neutrality. To conserve resources, reduce costs and GHG emissions, and educate campus stakeholders, Radford University participates in US EPA's ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Learning Within the Student Recreation Center: A USGBC Research to Practice Project

  • Sonoma State University (CA)

A small group of undergraduate students came together to participate in the US Green Building Council's Research to Practice pilot program. They chose to engage in a study of ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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High Efficiency Run-Around Energy Recovery in Large Buildings

  • Konvekta USA Inc. (NJ)

Air-conditioning systems are among the greatest energy consumers in large buildings such as schools, laboratories and hospitals. European high performance 'run around energy recovery systems' (RAERS), guaranteeing strict separation of ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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USGBC's Roadmap to a Green Campus: Lessons Learned on the Path to Campus Sustainability

  • Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. (MA)

Colleges and universities are making great strides on the journey to a sustainable future. In response to the growing momentum, the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Opportunities for Achieving Significant Energy Reduction in Existing University Buildings: developing efficient HVAC operations

  • Boston University (MA)

This paper presents the results of 4 years of a course-based energy audit for a variety of mid to large size office, classroom and laboratory buildings with forced air HVAC ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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When Do Variable Flow Fume Hoods Save Energy? implications for lab design and behavior modification

  • Boston University (MA)

Many university sustainability websites indicate the importance of using variable flow fume hoods and devising programs to ensure they are closed when not in use in order to reduce energy ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Bridging the Information Gap in Campus Energy Management: Submetering Buildings for Energy Use Reduction

  • American University (DC)
  • Cadmus Group, Inc. (FL)

Colleges and universities often prefer the simplicity of measuring the energy use of many buildings, or even an entire campus, with a single meter installed at minimal expense. However, as ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Continuous and Retro Commissioning in High Performance Buildings

  • Carnegie Mellon University (PA)

In the summer of 2010, our university contracted with a third party to perform a continuous commissioning and retro-commissioning pilot project for two LEED Silver Certified buildings. These buildings were ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Towards Green Campuses In Egypt: Using Simulation Tools for Optimization of Drawing Halls in Egypt

  • Mansoura University

The paper describes the use of simulation tools for optimizing the energy demands of drawing halls in Mansoura University, as a part of the strategy "Towards green campuses in Egypt"".

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Collaborative Sustainable Building Practice: Innovative Curriculum Design

  • Cornell University (NY)

There is no doubt that the unprecedented challenge of sustainable development calls for cross-disciplinary collaboration. For the building sector, recognizing the fact that technological solutions for low-energy high-performance buildings have ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sustainability in Campus Operations at Three Higher Education Institutions in Tompkins County, New York.

  • New York Institute of Technology - Manhattan Campus (NY)

This paper demonstrates how the three higher education institutions in Tompkins County, New York are making good progress in the planning and implementation of actions to make campus operations more ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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A Five Year Retrospective of Teaching Sustainable Building Design and Construction

  • Appalachian State University (NC)

This presentation will focus on the curriculum development and implementation of an undergraduate and graduate level course titled Sustainable Building Design and Construction. The focus of this course is on ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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An Education in Sustainable Living: Building a Green College Residential Community at SUNY Oswego

  • State University of New York at Oswego (NY)

In 2010 the State University of New York College at Oswego completed construction of The Village, a 350 bed upper class townhouse complex. The unique mission statement of the community ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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The Ten-Year Vision: A Global Network of Centers for Regenerative Studies

  • Ball State University (IN)

As noted in the writings of David Orr, our built environments teach. A proposed global network of Centers of Regenerative Studies would do just that - in real time and vicariously ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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The LEED Payback

  • Bohlin Cywinski Jackson (PA)

Designing new laboratory space to meet the demands of the 21st century can be a daunting planning and programming challenge due to unique and somewhat rigid technical standards. When the ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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The LEED Payback: How Research Laboratories at Yale, Smith and Dartmouth Achieved Substantial Cost Savings

  • Bohlin Cywinski Jackson (PA)

Designing new laboratory space to meet the demands of the 21st century can be a daunting planning and programming challenge due to their particular and somewhat rigid technical standards. When ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Multi-phased Evaluation of Occupant Perception of Sustainable Buildings as Measured by LEED®

  • Bryant University (RI)

There is a need for the proliferation of sustainable buildings and for enhanced strategies to attract customers to such an initiative. This study presents the results of a multi-phased study ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sustainable Campus Development from the Ground Up

  • Chatham University (PA)

Constructing an entirely new campus from the ground up can be a daunting task, being the first academic institution to do so sustainably presents an even greater challenge. As our ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sustainable Design and Technology for Health and Fitness Centers

  • Community College of Allegheny County (PA)

The Health and Wellness profession has experienced profound changes in how facilities remain energy efficient and sustainable. This presentation will review the basic procedures for creating environmentally enriching facilities that ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Making Homes Smarter

  • Duke University (NC)

Smart homes are energy efficient and have technology that is intuitive and easy to use. Smart Home should be sustainable and environmentally friendly. Smart homes should promote well being and ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Smart Growth Strategy realizes Green Honors and becomes an Immersive Sustainability Master Plan

  • Georgia Institute of Technology (GA)

In the higher education arena, our institute has one of the most advanced and forward-thinking sets of building standards for environmental stewardship, sustainable design, and energy management. The 1997 Campus ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Building Automation Systems - A New Program for Sustainability and Technical Education

  • Georgia Piedmont Technical College (GA)

A two-year vocational college located just outside of Atlanta, GA is developing innovative academic programs to serve energy efficiency technology industries. In particular, the Building Automation Systems (BAS) program has ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Institutionalizing Green Building: Lessons Learned from 80+ LEED Buildings

  • Harvard University (MA)

In September 2009, Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO & Founding Chair, U.S. Green Building Council, said, "With the LEED certification of its 20th building, the most of any higher education ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Internal Energy Auditing to Meet Portfolio-Wide GHG Reduction Goals at Harvard University

  • Harvard University (MA)

Universities worldwide are committing to greenhouse gas reduction goals and implementing climate action plans. Optimizing building efficiency is often identified as a central strategy to achieving these ambitious goals. To ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Effects of Residence Hall Submetering on Student's Reported Energy and Water Use at Lynchburg College

  • University of Lynchburg (VA)

Submetering of buildings is commonly cited as a useful tool in not only identifying water leaks or equipment problems, but also in encouraging energy and water conservation among building occupants ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Building Energy Analysis: Supply and Demand, Trending and Exception Reporting

  • North Carolina State University (NC)

In a university setting, the Energy Management Unit is responsible for all utility metering data for the 13 million square foot campus. This data includes the natural gas (NG), fuel ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Path to the Net Zero Building: What You Can Learn from One College's Success Story

  • Portland Community College (OR)

In the fall of 2011, Portland Community College (PCC) will begin classes in one of the first Net-Zero academic buildings in the state of Oregon. The 5-classroom, 13,000- square-foot ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Environmental Challeges and Sustainable Solutions of Natural and Built Environments

  • Princeton University (NJ)

Success of integrating sustainable practices into curricula requires communication, collaboration, and coordination of education, research, university staff, and community partnerships. Princeton University Environmental Studies Program is implementing a "Real World ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Zero Net Energy Buildings are NEXT - A Proposal for Getting There

  • Sasaki Associates, Inc. (MA)

Zero Net Energy Buildings (ZNEB) are the NEXT frontier for the the sustainable building industry. While LEED Gold and even Platinum buildings are becoming more common, there remain few Zero ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Implementing a Sustainable Campus Master Plan

  • SmithGroup (MI)

A major state university's 2010 Campus Master Plan establishes an innovative approach to environmental stewardship that minimize the effects on natural resources by mandating sustainable design strategies for all ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Solar Tax Shelters: Roofs for Not For Profits

  • Stone House Group (PA)

In Summer 2011, a Central Pennsylvania College will begin construction on a roof replacement for their Sports and Recreation Center. Having reached the end of its life, the existing EPDM ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Expanding the STARS 1.1 Technical Manual - Re-evaluating "Design" in Category 2: Operations (OP)

  • Technische Universiteit Delft

Category 2 of the STARS 1.1 Technical Manual provides a total of 100 points towards a Universities Operations (OP) and a total of 13 credits towards buildings. In general ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Student Center Features New High Efficiency Central Geothermal Technology

  • Trane (TX)

In July 2010 the school broke ground on a three-story, 70,000-square-foot student center scheduled for November 2011 completion. The new building is slated to achieve Leadership in Energy and ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Case Study: Achieving LEED Gold with a Fully Integral Building Envelope

  • Tremco Roofing and Building Maintenance

SUSTAINABLE DESIGN AND INNOVATION

Sustainable design is an inherent aspect of design excellence. Projects should express sustainable design concepts and intentions, and take advantage of innovative programming opportunities.

ENERGY FLOWS ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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The Role of the LEED Rating System in Higher Education: Recent Trends and Status

  • University of California, Berkeley (CA)

This study is an update to the report, "To LEED or Not To LEED," published in August 2009, and examines the degree to which various top universities in the United ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Student Involvement in Campus LEED Certification Projects

  • University of California, Berkeley (CA)

Successfully engaging students in campus-wide LEED efforts is a challenge that many universities face. While enthusiasm is overwhelming, the inexperience,high turnover rates, and difficulties organizing students (from a staff ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Capping campus energy consumption despite massive growth: The Oregon Model for Sustainable Development

  • University of Oregon (OR)

The Oregon Model for Sustainable Development is a new policy that places a firm ceiling on campus energy consumption. To achieve it, new construction projects must meet aggressive energy efficiency ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Green Roofs: Environmental, Academic, and Engaging

  • University of the District of Columbia (DC)

Besides green roofs' many environmental benefits - stormwater management, reduced urban heat island effect, habitat creation, building insulation - the academic and learning value that green roofs can have is an often ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Buildings and Values: Sustainable Design for Teaching Tools: tales from Educators and their Architect

  • William McDonough + Partners (VA)

A trio of people will bring a unique perspective on design and sustainability for higher education, and how the higher education context is the ideal one within which to understand ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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To LEED or not to LEED: University Makes the Case for Third Party Verification

  • WRNS Studio (CA)

Today, when everyone is claiming green from cereal brands to coal companies, can we really say that we are building sustainably outside a framework of industry-accepted standards and objective third ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Achieving Sustainable Goals in an Urban Center Environment

  • WTW Architects (PA)

A growing campus in a downtown district faces unique opportunities and challenges in achieving sustainable goals. An urban campus can define itself as a village within the larger city. The ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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User Participation Saves Cost in Green Building Operations

  • Western Washington University (WA)

This session explores how users have become participants in reducing energy/operational costs at Western Washington University's new state-of-the-art 120,000gsf Academic Instructional Center (AIC), one of the largest ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Students and Faculty Lead Local Green Building Projects: A Sustainable Model

  • Colorado State University (CO)

An interdisciplinary university institute focused on sustainable design and development brings together students and faculty to perform green building research and LEED project coordination for campus building projects and many ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Impact of Educational Context on Teaching Sustainable Design and Construction

  • Colorado State University (CO)

Teaching sustainability is critical to the education of Construction Management (CM) students and professionals. The authors have participated in and taught classes focused on the integration of sustainable principles and ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Bombing Detroit: Activist Architecture as a Pedagogical Model

  • Lawrence Technological University (MI)

Are traditional models of architectural practice still viable in cities mired in physical, psychological, and economic crisis? Are Universities initiating programs that educate students in a manner that allows them ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Stanford's Y2E2: Built to Conserve, Inspire, and Teach

  • Stanford University (CA)

In May 2010 Stanford opened the Science and Engineering Quad 2 (SEQ2) to pedestrians—a major milestone in the construction of a four-building space designed to match the historic main ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Growing GRASS and other sustainability initiatives at University of Louisville

  • University of Louisville (KY)

This panel will focus on the sustainability challenges that face a large commuter-based urban university and discuss efforts to overcome these obstacles. Using a three-pronged model of Encouraging Involvement, Inclusion ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Tackling Barriers for LEED EBOM in Unique University Buildings

  • Colorado State University (CO)

Colorado State University has a long history of leadership in environmental stewardship. A grant from the Governor's Energy Office provided the perfect opportunity for CSU to extend that leadership ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Room Temperature Biologial Sample Storage Programs at Stanford

  • Stanford University (CA)

Researchers at Stanford University and the School of Medicine can make a direct contribution to energy and resource conservation targets by replacing aging biological sample storage freezers with more efficient ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Building the New Green OR Greening the Already Built: Evaluating the optimal strategy for your campus

  • University of California, Santa Barbara (CA)
  • University of Colorado Boulder (CO)
  • Western Michigan University (MI)
  • Second Nature (MA)
  • U.S. Green Building Council (DC)

Many higher education institutions across the country are investing efforts and resources in promoting and implementing sustainable practices on their campuses. However, while addressing the infrastructure, these institution often run ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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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

OP 4: Building Design & Construction

Additional analysis on scores and quantitative fields can be conducted using the STARS Benchmarking Tool.

Buildings Partners