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

National Sustainable Structures Center

  • Pennsylvania College of Technology (PA)

NSSC (formerly the Weatherization Training Center) was established in 1985 as a result of a partnership between Penn College and the PA Department of Community & Economic Development. NSSC’s ...

  • Posted April 26, 2016
  • Research Centers & Institutes
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Institute for Sustainable Design

  • Cooper Union (NY)

The Cooper Union Institute for Sustainable Design seeks to provide the greater Cooper Union community—architects, engineers and artists—with the cross-disciplinary knowledge and skills that are necessary to create ...

  • Posted April 26, 2016
  • Research Centers & Institutes
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Going Geothermal At Ball State University

  • Ball State University (IN)

Ball State University has created the nation’s largest ground-source, closed-loop district geothermal energy system, benefiting the statewide social, economic and environmental context.

The system’s implementation demonstrates that geothermal ...

  • Posted April 26, 2016
  • Videos & Webinars
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Rutgers Center for Green Building

  • Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick Campus (NJ)

Housed at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, the Rutgers Center for Green Building, forms a common umbrella for existing and proposed initiatives being carried out ...

  • Posted April 25, 2016
  • Research Centers & Institutes
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Are Employers Seeking Sustainability Literate Graduates?

  • Higher Education Academy (York)

Using structured questionnaires and follow-­up semi‐structured telephone interviews, this study seeks to establish to what extent adoption of the sustainability agenda within higher education and built environment organisations ...

  • Posted April 15, 2016
  • Publications
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LEED Certification of Campus Buildings - A Cost-Benefit Approach

This is the first comprehensive cost-benefit analysis of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) buildings certified within the higher education sector. 16 institutions of higher education (IHEs) were surveyed ...

  • Posted April 14, 2016
  • Publications
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Center for Energy Research/Education/Service

  • Ball State University (IN)

The Center for Energy Research/Education/Service (CERES) at Ball State University, is an interdisciplinary academic support unit focused on issues related to energy and resource use, alternatives and conservation ...

  • Posted April 12, 2016
  • Research Centers & Institutes
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ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager

  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (DC)

ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager is an online tool you can use to measure and track energy and water consumption, as well as greenhouse gas emissions. Use it to benchmark the ...


New Energy for Campuses: Energy-Saving Policies for Colleges and Universities

  • Energy Action Coalition

New Energy for Campuses highlights more than 30 universities in 24 states that have implemented a range of programs including improving the energy efficiency of classrooms, putting solar panels on ...

  • Posted March 28, 2016
  • Publications
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Leading Techniques for Energy Savings in Colleges and Universities

  • Schneider Electric (TX)

This paper describes how building automation products and services can reduce energy costs at colleges and universities. It outlines proven techniques to achieve energy conservation results with an attractive return ...

  • Posted March 28, 2016
  • Publications
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Connecting Sustainability with Design and Construction: The Project Managers Professional Development Program

  • Ohio University (OH)

The Office of Sustainability at Ohio University realized there was a disconnect between our office and others on campus that play direct roles in the sustainability of the institution. In ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
  • Conference Presentations
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Building Sustainability: A Holistic Approach to Evaluations and Retrofits

  • University of Virginia (VA)

This case study will focus on a replicable model of how a technically-focused retro-commissioning and energy/water reduction program for individual existing buildings can be expanded into a holistic and ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Reimagining the 21st Century Research Library

  • BNIM Architects (MO)
  • Integral Group (CA)

The university is transforming; the ivory tower is shifting towards a porous campus. How do you transform a library of books into a trans-disciplinary hub for collaboration and innovation? As ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sustainability Challenges and Triumphs at a West African University: Waste, Water, Energy Land, and New Construction

  • American University of Nigeria (Adamawa,)

Sustainability has been a high priority at the American University of Nigeria (AUN),for more than three years.The fastest progress has been in waste management; AUN was spending more ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
  • Conference Presentations
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Net Zero Energy: The Growing National Landscape + Profiles from Three Institutions

  • Cornell University (NY)
  • Washington University in St. Louis (MO)
  • Sasaki Associates, Inc. (MA)

Net zero energy (NZE) buildings are becoming more prevalent through advancements in design, construction, technology, and building operations. The last five years have been a significant period of growth, with ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
  • Conference Presentations
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Living Buildings as Inspirational Catalysts

  • University of British Columbia (BC)
  • Simon Fraser University (BC)
  • Hellmuth + Bicknese Architects (MO)
  • International Living Future Institute (WA)

Living Buildings must not only meet rigorous performance standards for net-positive energy & water, healthy environments and elimination of toxic materials, they also provide feedback to their community to teach ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Zero Net Energy Tiny Houses: A Campus Sustainable Housing Solution

  • University of California, Berkeley (CA)

The THIMBY (Tiny House in My Backyard) Student Group from UC Berkeley will be presenting on the design process of building a pilot, zero net energy tiny house on a ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Implementing the LEED Lab Program on Your Campus: Exploring Different Contexts

  • University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (WI)
  • U.S. Green Building Council (DC)

This session will address planning, implementing, and executing a LEED Lab program on campus while engaging as many stakeholders as possible. LEED Lab is a multidisciplinary immersion course utilizing the ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
  • Conference Presentations
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Building Better Homes: University of Arizona’s Residential Sustainability Program

  • University of Arizona (AZ)

This presentation is focused on residential education. Components of the University of Arizona's (UA) on-campus sustainability program will be briefly discussed. The presenters will specifically discuss replicable and successful ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
  • Conference Presentations
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Using LEED-EBOM 4 for Smeal Business Building and LEED Campus to Launch LEED for the Pennsylvania State University Park Campus

  • Pennsylvania State University (PA)
  • Leonardo Academy (WI)

This presentation addresses how a campus can use the implementation of LEED-EBOM version 4 for one building and LEED Campus to launch LEED campus wide. The project shows how undergraduate ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
  • Conference Presentations
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LED-ing the way to greenhouse gas reduction goals

  • New York University (NY)

Are you 'in the dark' about LED lighting? It's the next best thing in energy efficient lighting that can achieve energy savings of 80-90%. The switch to LEDs as ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Tinkham Veale University Center - A Beacon of Student Activity and Sustainability at Case Western Reserve University

  • Case Western Reserve University (OH)
  • Perkins+Will (NY)

In 2011 Case Western Reserve University and Perkins+Will began the process that would ultimately result in the completion of the Tinkham Veale University Center. Both CWRU and Perkins+Will ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
  • Conference Presentations
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The Tiny House at the Tiny College: Design and Assessment of Sustainable Micro-Housing Alternatives

  • Randolph College (VA)

The 'Tiny House' movement is an architectural and social phenomenon that promotes simple living in small homes. Depending on the design, a Tiny House may offer a sustainable housing option ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
  • Conference Presentations
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A Better Business Building' - Penn State and Leonardo Academy Connect Students, Faculty, and Facilities through LEED for Existing Buildings and LEED Campus

  • Pennsylvania State University (PA)
  • Leonardo Academy (WI)

Learn how students, faculty, and facility management staff worked together to transform the sustainability of the Smeal Business Building at Penn State through LEED-EBOM. The project served as a model ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
  • Conference Presentations
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Making Green Cleaning Stick: The Journey to Green Seal Standards

  • Muskegon Community College (MI)
  • Western Michigan University (MI)

LEED V4 now recognizes custodial programs certified under one of the following: Green Seal's Environmental Standard for Commercial Cleaning Services (GS-42); or International Sanitary Supply Association (ISSA) Cleaning Industry ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
  • Conference Presentations
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Greening the Sciences at Colorado College

  • Colorado College (CO)

As members of the Sustainability Council at Colorado College, we learned that science buildings use far more energy for their size than other buildings on a college campus. So we ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
  • Conference Presentations
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How Connected Buildings Close The Gap Between People and Technology and Enable Opportunities for Energy Efficiency

  • Atrius (CA)

People spend 90% of their lives in buildings, which are responsible for the consumption of two-thirds of the world's electricity. Yet the technologies we use to manage buildings today ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
  • Conference Presentations
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ENOS, is an energy Operating System, that integrates Big Data, Open Source Software and Hardware and the Internet of Things.

  • Amzur Technologies (FL)

Historically utility billing, campus infrastructure, Building Management Systems and Sustainability Reporting have consisted of siloed data and information systems and distinct stakeholders that rarely share a common understanding of organizational ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Heating Up Sustainable Design on a Small College Campus: Designing an Educational and Functional Net-Zero Warming Hut

  • Carleton College (MN)

In the winter term of 2014, Carleton College developed a class entitled 'Systems Approaches to Sustainability' to merge a variety of perspectives in sustainability and teach interdisciplinary, systems thinking when ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Cross-Cultural Collaboration and Life Long Learning inspired by a Sustainable Building Course in Costa Rica

  • Colorado State University (CO)

This case study introduces a study-abroad program in Costa Rica, which focuses on Sustainable Building Practices. During the past two years, Colorado State University (CSU) and EARTH University formed a ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Tiny House College Life: No Dorm, No Debt, No Environmental Degradation

  • Green Mountain College (VT)

Why wait to be sustainable? Why pay excessive room and board while having a stagnant, unyielding carbon footprint? The tiny house movement is growing in strength as this life style ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
  • Conference Presentations
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Lessons from Germany to the US 4: Building Standards

  • Grinnell College (IA)

What is a 'green' building exactly, and why is it important to build in this way? Colleges and universities possess limited funds, and must consider many issues and interest groups ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
  • Conference Presentations
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The Trans-formative Power of the Living Building Challenge

  • Natural Sustainability (MA)

Presented by a certified ambassador of the ILFI, this session will introduce the Living Building Challenge and provide for questions & discussion. The Living Building Challenge is the built environment ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Accepting the Challenge: Living Building Challenge in Higher Education

  • Hampshire College (MA)
  • Smith College (MA)
  • Williams College (MA)

Living Building Challenge is a relatively new sustainable building standard launched in 2006 with the purpose of raising the bar in green building. In the words of LBC, it challenges ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Diverse Perspectives: The University of Utah’s Innovative Law School

  • University of Utah (UT)
  • SmithGroup (MI)

On completion in March 2015, the University of Utah SJ Quinney College of Law’s 156,000 SF new building will represent an entirely new development in legal education that ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Knight Law Center: A Case for LEED EBOM on Campus

  • University of Oregon (OR)

In 2011, the University of Oregon began the process of certifying an existing facility using LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance (EBOM). Many campuses across the United States have ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
  • Conference Presentations
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Building a Strong Core: Sustainability in a University Sports Complex

  • University of Denver (CO)

The Daniel L. Ritchie Center for Sports and Wellness at the University of Denver opened in 1999 and is a 440,000 square foot athletics, recreation and entertainment complex. Directly ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Green Renovations Checklist: Developing Institution-Specific Green Guidelines

  • University of California, Berkeley (CA)

The University of California system requires building projects (renovations and new construction) valued at or above $5 million to achieve at least a LEED certification level of Silver. While this ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
  • Conference Presentations
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What Do the New Energy Codes and LEED V4 Mean for Campus Planning?

  • University of Colorado Colorado Springs (CO)

The 2012 International Building Codes (IBC) and LEED v4 are upping the ante for new construction campus projects. In Colorado, state building projects, including University of Colorado buildings, are designed ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Constructed Places, Contemplation and Wellness

  • University of Virginia (VA)

Mindfulness and other contemplative practices are beginning to thrive in college classrooms and campuses across the country. The quest for health and wellness is a priority for students living in ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
  • Conference Presentations
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Loyola’s Institute of Environmental Sustainability

  • Loyola University Chicago (IL)

Opened in September 2013, the Institute of Environmental Sustainability is a high-performing facility housing a 400 bed residence hall, academic offices for 80 staff and faculty and 10 collaborative research ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
  • Conference Presentations
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Creating Student Urban Housing District- West Campus University of Washington

  • University of Washington, Seattle (WA)

Case study will present the strategies and outcomes of West Campus Housing includes four residence halls and seven apartment buildings all completed within last five years and two residence halls ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Stanford’s Building Level Sustainability Program: A Retrospective

  • Stanford University (CA)

Formally launched in 2009, Stanford’s Building-Level Sustainability Program harnesses the actions of individual building occupants to achieve resource savings. Over the past five years the program has matured to ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sustainable Buildings and Infrastructure: The Campus as a Living Lab

  • California State University, East Bay (CA)

In 2012-13, the Provost of the California State University, East Bay (CSUEB) funded an innovative program to engage campus faculty, staff, and students in Programmatic Excellence and Innovation in Learning ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Vegetated roofs at UAB: Operations and research collaboration

  • University of Alabama at Birmingham (AL)

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is the largest single-site employer in Alabama, with more than 120 buildings encompassing 93 city blocks. As a core component of Alabama’s ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Green Building Education through Certification

  • Roosevelt University (IL)
  • SERF Foundation (MI)

The Society of Environmentally Responsible Facilities (SERF) is a green building certification system that promotes a streamlined, user-friendly and cost effective approach to certification. In addition to certification, SERF is ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sustainability at Scale: LEED EBOM and The Next Big Step Toward the Sustainable Campus

  • California State University, Channel Islands (CA)
  • University of California, Office of the President (CA)
  • Brightworks Sustainability (OR)

To emphasize the high importance but low attention paid to existing facilities in environmental stewardship, in 2012 the U. S. Green Building council published an article calling existing buildings “the ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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It doesn’t have to be LEED to be green

  • University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (MN)

In the summer of 2013 the University of Minnesota completed construction on the 17th Avenue Residence Hall. The facility was built to meet the State of Minnesota’s sustainable building ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Creating Vibrant Campus Communities through Biophilic Design

  • NAC Architecture (WA)

Biophilia is a Greek term meaning, "love of life or living systems." Biophilic Design is a way of creating places and communities that connect us both literally and emotionally to ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Buildings that Teach – A Framework for Curiosity and Curriculum

  • Rocky Mountain Institute (CO)
  • Hellmuth + Bicknese Architects (MO)
  • Legat Architects (IL)

There is a growing trend in architecture and education to create ‘buildings that teach’, physical environments that further occupant’s understanding and engagement in sustainability. In fact, education is one ...

  • Posted Feb. 26, 2016
  • Conference Presentations
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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