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
Can Urban University Expansion and Sustainable Development Co-Exist?: A Case Study in Progress on Columbia University
- Albany Law School (NY)
- Columbia University (NY)
This article uses the expansion of Columbia University as a case study to demonstrate the difficulty in labeling projects as "sustainable" or "unsustainable" when key stakeholders view the process and …
- Posted Oct. 31, 2016
- Publications
- View more
Columbia Announces Deal on Its 17-Acre Expansion Plan
- Columbia University (NY)
This article describes an agreement relating to the Columbia University's plans to expand its campus in Harlem. Among other things, the university committed to contribute $20 million to start a …
- Posted Oct. 31, 2016
- Publications
- View more
Safety Advancement Program
- Campus Safety, Health, and Environmental Management Association (IN)
CSHEMA’s Safety Advancement Program is designed to help colleges, universities, and other campus environments assess and address health and safety performance. At the core of the Safety Advancement Program is …
- Posted Oct. 20, 2016
- Tools
- View more
Sustainability and Built Environment: The role of Higher Education in Architecture and Building Engineering
The sustainability paradigm implies a cultural shift in order to really change the world and society. Education, and specifically higher education, plays the crucial role of preparing students to be …
- Posted Oct. 13, 2016
- Publications
- View more
Ultra-Low Temperature Freezer Performance and Energy Use Tests
- University of California, Riverside (CA)
During fall 2015 and winter 2016, staff and students from the University of California , Riverside Office of Sustainability evaluated three energy efficient Ultra Low Temperature Freezers. This study tested …
- Posted Oct. 7, 2016
- Publications
- View more
SUNY Cortland Grounds Initiatives
- State University of New York at Cortland (NY)
Located on the edge of a sensitive aquifer, SUNY Cortland’s Student Life Center uses bio-swales, strategically planted native vegetation and permeable pavement to control storm runoff. The campus maintains an …
- Posted Oct. 2, 2016
- Photographs
- View more
Hands-On LEED: Guiding College Student Engagement
- U.S. Green Building Council (DC)
As college and university leaders from across the United States work to green their campuses, students can and should play a critical role. Hands-On LEED: Guiding College Student Engagement explains …
- Posted Sept. 26, 2016
- Publications
- View more
Energy Efficient Residence Hall
- Unity Environmental University (ME)
Unity College completed a new two-story, 18,200-square-foot, 76-bed residence hall in August 2016. The ADA-compliant building houses incoming freshmen and features multiple common spaces for group studying, private bathrooms and …
- Posted Sept. 23, 2016
- Photographs
- View more
Stanford Photos for Top Performer Categories
- Stanford University (CA)
Below are some photos that capture sustainability on Stanford's campus in the four categories in Research, Buildings, Water, and Diversity & Affordability.
- Posted Sept. 20, 2016
- Photographs
- View more
Green Garage at Cornell University
- Cornell University (NY)
In July 2015, Cornell University’s Forest Home Parking Garage became one of seven parking garages to receive the first Green Garage Certification from the Green Parking Council. Cornell was the …
- Posted Sept. 16, 2016
- Photographs
- View more
UVic Administrative Services Building LEED Gold
- University of Victoria (BC)
University of Victoria's Administrative Services Building LEED Gold
- Posted Sept. 14, 2016
- Photographs
- View more
Summer 2016 - St. John's University upgraded 41,000 lamps and 6,000 fixtures to LED
- St. John's University, New York (NY)
In Summer 2016, St. John's University invested $1.4 million to upgrade 41,000 lamps and 6,000 light fixtures to LED technology. Highlights of the project include:
- Utility company will share up …
- Posted Sept. 12, 2016
- Photographs
- View more
Pomona College: Sustainable by Design and Practice
- Pomona College (CA)
The Millikan building at Pomona College achieved LEED Platinum certification and is the first U.S. higher education building to feature the LEED Dynamic Plaque™. Situated on the wall in the …
- Posted Sept. 12, 2016
- Photographs
- View more
Green Buildings at CSU, Sacramento
- California State University, Sacramento (CA)
Students walking in front of the campus Academic Information Resource building.
The American River Courtyard Student Housing building at Sacramento State is a LEED Gold certified building, featuring an automatic …
- Posted Sept. 12, 2016
- Photographs
- View more
UBC Sustainability - CIRS Building
- University of British Columbia (BC)
CIRS was conceived as a building in which to push the envelope of sustainable design by integrating passive design strategies with innovative sustainable technologies.
- Posted Sept. 12, 2016
- Photographs
- View more
Climate Ready BU - Assessing the Campus for the Impacts of Climate Change
- Boston University (MA)
Much of the Boston University campuses are located less than five feet above today's high tide. With projections for sea level rise a cause for concern this century, the University …
- Posted Sept. 12, 2016
- Photographs
- View more
Energy Initiatives at Mohawk College
- Mohawk College (ON)
Applied wind and solar energy projects at the Fennell Campus of Mohawk College support teaching, learning and research on campus.
PV Solar panels on the roof of the David Braley …
- Posted Sept. 12, 2016
- Photographs
- View more
The Learning Exchange
- Mohawk College (ON)
The Learning Exchange is LEED® Gold Certified, incorporating technologies that reduce the building’s overall energy consumption. Building systems are exposed to create a living lab for Engineering Technology students and …
- Posted Sept. 12, 2016
- Photographs
- View more
Mohawk Energy Research Centre
- Mohawk College (ON)
An Engineering Technology student monitors a solar panel as part of the Mohawk Energy Research Centre (MERC).
- Posted Sept. 12, 2016
- Photographs
- View more
Peacock Hall photovoltaic array
- Appalachian State University (NC)
Appalachian State University currently has 17 renewable energy projects on or near campus, with plans to double the amount of energy generated by renewables in the near future.
- Posted Sept. 12, 2016
- Photographs
- View more
Sustainable facility development: perceived benefits and challenges
- Western Kentucky University (KY)
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to assess the perceived benefits and challenges of implementing sustainable initiatives in collegiate recreational sports facilities. Additionally, this paper intends to contribute to …
- Posted Sept. 12, 2016
- Publications
- View more
New System Can Help Save Water with a Couple of Clicks
- University of California, Merced (CA)
Quick-response codes are posted in each restroom in SSM so people can submit repair requests just by scanning with their smart phones.
- Posted Sept. 12, 2016
- Photographs
- View more
SUNY Polytechnic Institute Building Energy Dashboard
- State University of New York Polytechnic Institute (NY)
- Posted Sept. 12, 2016
- Photographs
- View more
Tour of Residence Hall Rooftop Solar
- Babson College (MA)
Sustainability Office staff and interns touring new rooftop solar thermal system.
- Posted Sept. 9, 2016
- Photographs
- View more
Stanford's Building Sustainability Rating System
- Stanford University (CA)
Stanford's building sustainability rating system recognizes buildings that are meeting their performance targets and motivates occupants to reduce their environmental footprint to improve their building's performance score.
- Posted Sept. 8, 2016
- Photographs
- View more
Business Instructional Facility Solar Array at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (IL)
- Posted Sept. 8, 2016
- Photographs
- View more
Harnessing the Power of Solar
- University of California, Merced (CA)
The Science and Engineering Building 2 features solar panels on the outside to help power the building and provide shade during the hottest months.
- Posted Sept. 7, 2016
- Photographs
- View more
Spartan Treasure Hunt
- Michigan State University (MI)
In these photos, Michigan State University facilities employees observe equipment while participating in a Spartan Treasure Hunt.
- Posted Sept. 6, 2016
- Photographs
- View more
AAS in Sustainability Technologies
- Cape Fear Community College (NC)
The Sustainability Technologies program is designed to prepare students to meet the challenges of the new energy economy. The program’s three focus areas – Sustainability, Renewable Energy, and Buildings – …
- Posted Aug. 23, 2016
- Academic Programs
- View more
Professional Certificate in Sustainability for Existing Buildings
- George Mason University (VA)
The non-credit Professional Certificate in Sustainability for Existing Buildings focuses on the importance of sustainability in the operation of existing buildings. This program is specifically focused on the principles of …
- Posted Aug. 22, 2016
- Academic Programs
- View more
Net Zero Water Planning Toolkit
- Brendle Group (CO)
The Net Zero Water (NZW) Planning Toolkit is intended to standardize and simplify water analysis and planning, while also maximizing economic returns and environmental benefits. The toolkit includes four phases …
- Posted Aug. 12, 2016
- Tools
- View more
Northern Arizona University Energy Mentor Program
- Northern Arizona University (AZ)
This is a how-to guide for higher education institutions who wish to carry out behavior based energy conservation programs. The guide is based on a program that has been implemented …
- Posted Aug. 3, 2016
- Publications
- View more
Achieving Carbon Neutrality at UCSB by 2025: A Critical Analysis of Technological and Financial Strategies
- University of California, Santa Barbara (CA)
In 2013, University of California (UC) President Janet Napolitano established the Carbon Neutrality Initiative (CNI), a commitment to eliminate all Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 2025. As one …
- Posted July 28, 2016
- Publications
- View more
A Qualitative Study of Motivation and Influences for Academic Green Building Developments in Australian Universities
- Macquarie University (NSW)
- La Trobe University (Victoria)
Green building projects have been adopted by many universities in Australia as part of their renovation and expansion. In order to investigate the motivations of academic decision makers to invest …
- Posted July 21, 2016
- Publications
- View more
Energy Performance of Campus LEED Buildings: Implications for Green Building and Energy Policy
- The Ohio State University (OH)
Many university campuses in the United States are working toward their sustainable goals by adopting energy or green building policies, which require Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) certification …
- Posted July 21, 2016
- Publications
- View more
Critical Issues in Facilities Management: Energy Efficiencies
- APPA: Leadership in Educational Facilities (VA)
Energy Efficiencies is an anthology of 15 chapters and an extensive resource list on topics related to campus energy management and conservation.
Contents:
- Financing the Future: How Green Revolving Funds …
- Posted July 21, 2016
- Publications
- View more
Environmental Compliance Assistance Guide for Colleges and Universities
- APPA: Leadership in Educational Facilities (VA)
- Campus Safety, Health, and Environmental Management Association (IN)
This second edition of Environmental Compliance Assistance Guide for Colleges and Universities updates the key environmental rules and regulations affecting physical surroundings of our campuses. Facilities and campus safety professional …
- Posted July 21, 2016
- Publications
- View more
Evaluating Institutional Green Building Policies: A Mixed-Methods Approach
- McMaster University (ON)
Sustainable or green building practices have been adopted recently by many higher education institutions for their new campus buildings and major renovations. To date, no formal study has been conducted …
- Posted July 21, 2016
- Publications
- View more
ENERGY STAR Commercial Buildings College Course Materials Package
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (DC)
The ENERGY STAR college-level course, Introduction to Commercial Building Energy Efficiency Through EPA's ENERGY STAR Program, gives students practical, hands-on experience with commercial building energy efficiency. This course was …
- Posted June 27, 2016
- Course Materials
- View more
Net Impact Energy Efficiency Project
- Saint Joseph's University (PA)
- Net Impact (CA)
-
The Saint Joseph's University Net Impact Undergraduate chapter has been collaborating with R World Energy Solutions—a sustainable energy consultant to business—over the past year in order to conduct an energy …
- Posted June 11, 2016
- Case Studies
- View more
UCSC Climate & Energy Strategy- A Roadmap to Carbon Neutrality by 2025
- University of California, Santa Cruz (CA)
Over the past 18 months, UCSC has been implementing a process to develop a comprehensive Climate and Energy Strategy (CES) to support its goal of reaching carbon neutrality by 2025. …
- Posted June 11, 2016
- Case Studies
- View more
The Cinnamon Roll Challenge: Promoting Reductions in Energy Consumption Through Energy Dashboards and Behavioral Influence
- Rice University (TX)
With an understanding of buildings as major sources of energy waste, our team set out to reduce student consumption in dorm rooms, the area that we have the most control …
- Posted June 10, 2016
- Publications
- View more
Improving the High-Rise Life
- Rice University (TX)
Our paper analyzed various "green" methods for a hypothetical future dorm on Rice University's campus in Houston, Texas. The cumulation of a semester's work, this project delved into sustainable design …
- Posted June 10, 2016
- Publications
- View more
Eco-friendly Lighting at the Smith College Museum of Art
- Smith College (MA)
Beginning in 2014, after several years of study and preparation, the Smith College Museum of Art replaced all of the incandescent lights in galleries, classrooms, and other displays with energy-efficient …
- Posted June 10, 2016
- Case Studies
- View more
First Student Sustainability Symposium
- Stevens Institute of Technology (NJ)
- New Jersey Higher Education Partnership for Sustainability (NJ)
Innovation of Sustainable Communities was a unique symposium organized by students who are passionate about sustainability. Anyone who shares the same passion with them, was welcome to attend! The symposium …
- Posted June 10, 2016
- Case Studies
- View more
Ohio University's Professional Development Program for the Advancement of Sustainability
- Ohio University (OH)
Ohio University's Office of Sustainability designed a Professional Development Program to advance the university's sustainability profile, particularly with its built environment. On a monthly basis staff from Architecture, Design and …
- Posted June 10, 2016
- Case Studies
- View more
Doubling Energy Efficiency at the University of Michigan by 2030
- University of Michigan (MI)
- Johnson Controls, Inc (WI)
Approximately 84 million Americans spend their days in colleges, universities, and public or private primary and secondary schools. The commercial building sector, which includes educational institutions, accounts for 18.44 percent …
- Posted June 8, 2016
- Publications
- View more
Western's Water Management Program
- Western University (ON)
Western University has over 90 buildings and most of them didn’t have a water meter. Only those buildings with a direct feed from the City had a meter. In order …
- Posted June 7, 2016
- Case Studies
- View more
Avoiding Chemical Flame Retardants on Campus
- Harvard University (MA)
Harvard University’s Sustainability Plan, created in partnership with faculty, students, and staff, is rooted in a sustainable development vision focused on enhancing community and individual well-being within and across generations. …
- Posted June 6, 2016
- Case Studies
- 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.