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
Latest News from AASHE Bulletin
New Resources
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
- View more
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
- View more
Center for Development Economics at Williams College
- Williams College (MA)
The Center for Development Economics (CDE) at Williams College offers an intensive, 10 month (one academic year), master’s degree program designed for economists from low and middle-income countries who have …
- Posted Aug. 3, 2022
- Photographs
- View more
UCI Images for SCI
- University of California, Irvine (CA)
Image options for UCI's feature in the SCI.
- Posted Aug. 2, 2022
- Photographs
- View more
College of the Atlantic
- College of the Atlantic (ME)
At College of the Atlantic, education goes beyond understanding the world as it is to enabling students to actively shape the future. A leader in experiential learning and environmental stewardship, …
- Posted Aug. 2, 2022
- Photographs
- View more
Stormwater Biofiltration System at UNC Greensboro
- University of North Carolina, Greensboro (NC)
Located outside the Kaplan Center for Wellness at UNC Greensboro, this is one of several biofiltration systems on campus which reduce flooding and filter stormwater to remove pollutants before they …
- Posted Aug. 1, 2022
- Photographs
- View more
Agnes Scott College - Rebekah Scott Hall LEED Platinum Renovation / Restoration
- Agnes Scott College (GA)
Rebekah Scott Hall is the third LEED-certified building on Agnes Scott’s 100 acre campus. The 1905 new Italian Renaissance Revival structure underwent renovation between May 2017 to August 2018. Rebekah …
- Posted Aug. 1, 2022
- Photographs
- View more
The David A. Tepper Quadrangle at Carnegie Mellon University
- Carnegie Mellon University (PA)
Carnegie Mellon University's David A. Tepper Quadrangle, home of the university's Coulter Welcome Center and the Tepper School of Business, earned LEED Gold certification in 2019.
CMU will be recognized …
- Posted July 27, 2022
- Photographs
- View more
Trimming Energy use in Buildings
- Texas A&M University (TX)
Because climate change is fueled in part by buildings’ energy use, Manish Dixit, Texas A&M assistant professor of construction science, is studying how to reduce structures’ energy needs with a …
- Posted July 25, 2022
- Photographs
- View more
BS in Sustainable Environmental Design
- University of California, Davis (CA)
Students in the Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems major focus on the social, economic and environmental aspects of agriculture and develop a thorough understanding of our food cycle from farm …
- Posted June 10, 2022
- Academic Programs
- View more
Sustainability in the Built Environment Minor
- University of California, Davis (CA)
This minor provides a guiding framework for educating individuals who will design and maintain our future built environment in the challenges and potential solutions for improved sustainability. The minor is …
- Posted June 10, 2022
- Academic Programs
- View more
Urban Design Graduate Certificate
- University of Cincinnati (OH)
The graduate Urban Design Certificate will provide individuals with foundational knowledge about the art and science of cities through history to inform future visions for cities; introduce the skills and …
- Posted June 10, 2022
- Academic Programs
- View more
Building & Construction Technology Minor
- University of Massachusetts Amherst (MA)
Topics include sustainable (green) building systems and materials, energy and conservation, building technologies, and construction management.
- Posted June 10, 2022
- Academic Programs
- View more
Design in Historic Preservation
- University of Massachusetts Amherst (MA)
The UMass Amherst Historic Preservation Program, part of the Department of Architecture, offers a unique opportunity for advanced study in historic preservation at this major public university, with the benefits …
- Posted June 10, 2022
- Academic Programs
- View more
Master of Resilient, Sustainable and Smart Buildings and Cities
- University Mohammed VI Polytechnic
The Master aims to offer in-depth training on the issue of Resilience, Sustainability and Smartness. This Master integrates the concept of resilience and sustainability in an applied approach in smart …
- Posted June 10, 2022
- Academic Programs
- View more
Sustainable Architecture and Planning Minor
- Texas A&M University (TX)
The Minor in Sustainable Architecture and Planning provides undergraduate students with a multidisciplinary approach to understanding sustainability of the built environment. The curriculum emphasizes an awareness of responsible practices at …
- Posted June 10, 2022
- Academic Programs
- View more
Building Science and Energy Management BS
- Western Technical College (WI)
Building Science and Energy Management examines the built environment and how it relates to energy using the latest research, tools, and technology available. Students gain hands-on experience working with community …
- Posted June 10, 2022
- Academic Programs
- View more
Sustainable Construction Management MPS/MS
- State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (NY)
Graduate options in sustainable construction allow students with technical degrees to engage specific topics of current interest. There is an overall objective of having students look at the broad environmental …
- Posted June 10, 2022
- Academic Programs
- View more
Sustainable Construction Management PhD
- State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (NY)
Graduate options in sustainable construction allow students with technical degrees to engage specific topics of current interest. There is an overall objective of having students look at the broad environmental …
- Posted June 10, 2022
- Academic Programs
- View more
Building Controls & Energy Management Certificate
- British Columbia Institute of Technology (BC)
The aim of this program is to supply industry with graduates who can use controls and building automation systems to improve energy efficiency. This includes integration of this knowledge in …
- Posted June 10, 2022
- Academic Programs
- View more
Building Science ME
- British Columbia Institute of Technology (BC)
The Building Science Graduate Program has a unique, interdisciplinary approach that combines the theory and practical skills needed to deliver durable, healthy, comfortable and energy-efficient buildings. For students interested in …
- Posted June 10, 2022
- Academic Programs
- View more
Specialisation: High Performance Buildings
- University of Sydney (NSW)
The High Performance Buildings program at the University of Sydney is unique in Australia. It offers the opportunity to pursue or develop an exciting career in the built environment field …
- Posted June 10, 2022
- Academic Programs
- View more
UBC Sustainability Scholars Program
- University of British Columbia (BC)
Since 2010, the creativity, skills and passion of close to 600 UBC graduate students in the Sustainability Scholars Program have made a positive impact on sustainability issues in the Vancouver …
- Posted May 20, 2022
- Case Studies
- View more
Are LEED campus buildings universally designed? Assessments at Virginia Tech
- Virginia Tech (VA)
Purpose
As many of the next generation leaders are currently on college campuses, endorsing green buildings can foster environmental stewardship among the student body. However, marshalling in the social sphere …
- Posted May 20, 2022
- Publications
- View more
Sustainability challenges in architectural education: assessment of an architectural technology course on the bioclimatic redesign of existing buildings in Greece
- National Technical University of Athens
During the last decades, the sustainable redesign of existing buildings has been gaining importance in both architectural practice and education. While based on the knowledge of the basic principles of …
- Posted May 11, 2022
- Publications
- View more
Scalable pathways to net zero carbon in the UK higher education sector: A systematic review of smart energy systems in university campuses
- Buro Happold (NY)
- University College London (London)
The following literature review sets out the state-of-the-art research relating to smart building principles and smart energy systems in UK higher education university campuses. The paper begins by discussing the …
- Posted May 11, 2022
- Publications
- View more
An Integrated Methodology of Subjective Investigation for a Sustainable Indoor Built Environment. The Case Study of a University Campus in Italy
- University of Salerno
- Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II
Indoor built environments’ design and management require a holistic approach inspired by ergonomic principles and sustainability criteria. This is especially in case of renovation of existing buildings where any kind …
- Posted May 11, 2022
- Publications
- View more
Incorporating green building into architectural education: what can we learn from the value-belief-norm theory?
- Griffith University (Queensland)
- Shenzhen General Institute of Architectural Design and Research
- Shenzhen University
Aiming to find out how to incorporate green building into the architectural curriculum, this study aims to explore the psychological path for cultivating architectural students’ awareness and motivation to learn …
- Posted May 11, 2022
- Publications
- View more
Green building strategies for LEED-certified laboratory buildings: comparison between gold and platinum levels
- Incheon National University
Laboratory facilities at higher education institutions are increasingly utilizing green building strategies to decrease their environmental footprint. The U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating …
- Posted May 11, 2022
- Publications
- View more
Greening on-campus housing: blending commercial and higher education contexts
- Virginia Tech (VA)
With the United States higher education sector representing over five billion square feet and expending over six billion dollars annually on energy costs, the higher education institution has an opportunity …
- Posted May 11, 2022
- Publications
- View more
Creating a Winning Collegiate Sports Sustainability Program
- Green Sports Alliance (OR)
Over the past decade, a growing number of collegiate athletic programs have initiated or expanded their sustainability systems. With athletics traditionally recognized as "The front porch of the campus," campus …
- Posted May 9, 2022
- Videos & Webinars
- View more
Mapping sustainability initiatives in higher education institutions in Latin America
- Hamburg University of Applied Sciences
Many higher education institutions (HEIs) around the world are involved in a variety of sustainability initiatives. These are acknowledged to be important elements in fostering the cause of sustainability in …
- Posted Feb. 1, 2022
- Publications
- View more
Post-COVID; How Living Buildings Are the Next Recruiting Tool, Hosted by ILFI
- International Living Future Institute (WA)
Please join the International Living Future Institute for an open discussion about how colleges and universities around the world are implementing the Living Building Challenge in their capital projects to …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Advancing Carbon Neutrality Through Renovation and Renewal
- Arizona State University (AZ)
- Ayers Saint Gross (MD)
Arizona State University achieved climate neutrality for Scope 1 and 2 emissions in 2019, six years ahead of schedule, but the planet needs more. Join us to learn how ASU …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Designing Buildings for Future Climate Realities
- University of California, Office of the President (CA)
- Arup (NY)
The University of California launched the Designing Buildings for Future Climate Realities project to optimize buildings and infrastructure to the changing climate in which they will be operating. Standard industry …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Taking Action on Sustainability Commitments Using IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service)
- Clemson University (SC)
- Duke Energy (NC)
The future will require ingenuity and innovation as well as capital to move the needle on sustainability commitments. The past decade has clearly demonstrated that our previous capitalization and decision-making …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Keeping Campus' Buildings Healthy: Managing 3D Printer Emissions for Occupant Safety and Health
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas (TX)
- UL (Underwriters Laboratories) (IL)
Years of research prove that designing, operating and managing our buildings with a focus on good indoor air quality (IAQ) is essential to protect the health and productivity of building …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
- Conference Presentations
- View more
A Campus Sustainability Map Organized by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
- University of Wisconsin-Madison (WI)
"Designing a map is not a trivial task." (1) This session discusses the purpose, process, and outcomes of developing a campus sustainability map. However, as we will demonstrate, while designing …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
- Conference Presentations
- View more
What's in Your Toolkit? Laboratory Efficiency for Cutting Edge Labs
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory (CO)
Cutting-edge research often hosts hazards that must be contained effectively to maintain a safe work environment for researchers. As a result, laboratories are complex buildings that can be challenging and …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Sustainability & Facilities 101: Maximizing Collaboration
- University of Maryland, Baltimore County (MD)
Sustainability and Facilities Management (FM) professionals and departments often are tasked with working closely together on various projects throughout campus. Many of these professionals, by nature of their work, are …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
- Conference Presentations
- View more
COVID or Us? Interpreting GHG Emission Reductions Amid a Pandemic While Improving Energy Efficiency
- Bemidji State University (MN)
Located in Northern Minnesota, Bemidji State University (BSU) operates within a dispersed, rural, and diverse community. With a longstanding commitment to carbon reduction, BSU has strategically partnered with the university's …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Leveraging the Envision Framework to Create a Sustainability Strategy for Campus Development at British Columbia Institute of Technology
- British Columbia Institute of Technology (BC)
- Luuceo Consulting Inc (BC)
BCIT began working with the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure's Envision framework and rating system in 2017 on the North Campus Infrastructure Renewal Project. BCIT decided to pilot Envision to enhance …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Studying Plug Load Savings from Idle Devices in Unoccupied Buildings during the Pandemic
- Stanford University (CA)
During the pandemic, some unoccupied buildings at Stanford were reaping less electricity savings than expected. In these particular buildings, heating and cooling had been turned off, and all occupants were …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Healthy Building Practices and Supporting Local Manufacturers of Building Products
- BlueGreen Alliance (DC)
Core to the design, construction, and operations of any building are practices that promote the well-being of the occupants that live and work in those spaces. The spectrum of healthy …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
- Conference Presentations
- View more
CSU Building Decarbonization: A Framework for Decarbonizing Existing Fossil Fuel Infrastructure on Higher Education Campuses
- California State University, Chancellor's Office (CA)
- Glumac (OR)
The California State University (CSU) provides high quality, affordable and inclusive public higher education throughout California. The CSU system has made significant strides to reduce its impact on the environment …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Interactive Urban Planning Sustainability Tools
- Millennial Cities
Millennial Cities is an interactive web mapping site that provides access to important maps, data, and web mapping applications related to climate change, social justice, the environment, and more. The …
- Posted Jan. 5, 2022
- Tools
- View more
University of Michigan Carbon Neutral Power and Heat Infrastructure Study: Summary Report
- University of Michigan (MI)
This report was compiled during the academic year of 2019-2020 for the University of Michigan (U-M) President's Commission on Carbon Neutrality by the Integral Group, an external firm selected by …
- Posted Nov. 17, 2021
- Publications
- View more
The University of Michigan Building Efficiency Studies
- University of Michigan (MI)
This report was compiled during the academic year of 2019-2020 and 2020 - 2021 for the University of Michigan (U-M) President's Commission on Carbon Neutrality by SmithGroup Inc., an external …
- Posted Nov. 17, 2021
- Publications
- View more
Building Standards at the University of Michigan: A Report Developed for and Supported by the U-M President's Commission on Carbon Neutrality
- University of Michigan (MI)
This report was compiled during the academic year of 2019-2020 for the University of Michigan President's Commission on Carbon Neutrality by the Building Standards Internal Analysis Team. The Building Standards …
- Posted Nov. 17, 2021
- Publications
- View more
Campus Sustainability Incubator Fund
The Campus Sustainability Incubator Fund seeks to enable MIT community members to use the MIT campus as a test bed for research in sustainable operations, management, and design. The seed …
- Posted Nov. 16, 2021
- Green Funds
- View more
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.