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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Inflation Reduction Act geothermal/Ground Source Heat Pump 1 page case study
- University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (WI)
This document provides information about The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire's Sonnentag Center Ground Source Heat Pump/geothermal system submission for the tax incentives set up by the Inflation Reduction Act.
- Posted Aug. 25, 2025
- Case Studies
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Sustainable energy
- Mohawk College (ON)
Mohawk College Energy Systems Engineering Technology student, Madi, measures the energy captured by a solar panel on the roof of Mohawk College’s Joyce Centre for Partnership & Innovation. The Joyce …
- Posted Aug. 19, 2025
- Photographs
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Encouraging green infrastructure at Ontario universities: What's policy got to do with it?
- Dalhousie University (NS)
- University of Waterloo (ON)
This paper explores the role of policy in encouraging the adoption of green infrastructure (GI) at Ontario universities through a case study in Waterloo. The relationship between policy and GI …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
- Publications
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A review of operating performance in green buildings: Energy use, indoor environmental quality and occupant satisfactio
- Tsinghua University
This paper aims to review the published researches on post-occupancy performance of green buildings in terms of energy use, indoor environment quality (IEQ) and occupant satisfaction. A total of 925 …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
- Publications
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Green Building Occupant Satisfaction: Evidence from the Australian Higher Education Sector
- UNSW Sydney (NSW)
- Griffith University (Queensland)
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
- Shenzhen University
Universities spend billions of dollars on green buildings as a sustainability commitment. This research investigates occupant satisfaction with indoor environmental quality (IEQ), building design (BD), and facilities management (FM) in …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
- Publications
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Do ‘green’ buildings have better indoor environments? New evidence
- National Research Council Canada
A post-occupancy evaluation (POE) of 12 green and 12 conventional office buildings across Canada and the northern United States was conducted. Occupants (N = 2545) completed an online questionnaire related …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
- Publications
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The Business Case for Green Building: A Review of the Costs and Benefits for Developers, Investors and Occupants
- World Green Building Council
The Business Case for Green Building: A Review of the Costs and Benefits for Developers, Investors and Occupants, examines whether or not it’s possible to attach a financial value to …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
- Publications
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Top-reporting Institutions- Photos of University
- Cornell University (NY)
Photos of the university
- Posted Aug. 12, 2025
- Photographs
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Green Campus Platinum certification
- Sri Sivasubramaniya Nadar College of Engineering (Tamilnadu)
SSN College of Engineering, India's first STARS-rated institution under the AASHE framework, has proudly received the prestigious Platinum Certification from the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) for its Green Campus. …
- Posted Aug. 11, 2025
- Photographs
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Student Worker at the PCC Southeast Campus Learning Garden Geodesic Dome Greenhouse
- Portland Community College (OR)
A student worker in the Student Worker at the Southeast Campus Learning Garden Geodesic Dome Greenhouse at Portland Community College.
- Posted Aug. 4, 2025
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PCC Health Technology LEED Gold certified building renovated with repurposed timber
- Portland Community College (OR)
- PAE Consulting Engineers (OR)
- Thomas Hacker Architects, Inc. (OR)
Portland Community College's Health Technology Building Received LEED Gold certification status for the renovation of the east side(the west side is still being remodeled). The building was opened up to …
- Posted Aug. 4, 2025
- Photographs
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American University of Central Asia
- American University of Central Asia
The image shows the main building of the American University of Central Asia (AUCA) in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
- Posted July 31, 2025
- Photographs
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Sustainable Landscaping Enhancing Biodiversity at SSN College
- Sri Sivasubramaniya Nadar College of Engineering (Tamilnadu)
This photograph captures a thriving biodiversity patch within the sustainably managed campus landscape of SSN College of Engineering, Chennai. The campus is home to over 300 trees across 66 different …
- Posted July 28, 2025
- Photographs
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Amherst College Climate Action
- Amherst College (MA)
Amherst College aims to decarbonize its campus by 2030 through a transformative modernization of its energy system from its current fossil fuel based steam heating system to an electric, low …
- Posted July 22, 2025
- Photographs
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Energy Efficiency
- Université de Sherbrooke (QC)
Between 2002–2003, when the first energy efficiency measures were implemented, and 2023–2024, the energy intensity of the Université de Sherbrooke’s buildings was reduced by 46%. This substantial decrease played a …
- Posted July 22, 2025
- Photographs
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York University - Aerial views of campus
- York University
York University - aerial views of campus
- Posted July 14, 2025
- Photographs
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GRITS Sustainability Project Management & Tracking Platform
- Sustainable Endowments Institute (MA)
GRITS is a platform to help institutions plan, analyze, track, and share the energy, financial, and carbon impacts of their sustainability projects. It also enables institutions to access and learn …
- Posted June 25, 2025
- Tools
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SDG Steps at the University of Tasmania
- University of Tasmania (TAS)
Students at the newest (2025) University of Tasmania building using the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Steps. This building achieved over 35% reduction in embodied carbon compared to an industry …
- Posted June 6, 2025
- Photographs
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University of Minnesota Twin Cities
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (MN)
University of Minnesota Twin Cities
- Posted June 6, 2025
- Photographs
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Climate Risks and Resilience at Dickinson College: Strategies for Continuity of Operations
- Dickinson College (PA)
Prepared for Building Climate Resilience at Dickinson and in Central Pennsylvania, an initiative of Dickinson College, the Borough of Carlisle, and Cumberland County, PA, as part of Dickinson’s Baird Sustainability …
- Posted April 3, 2025
- Publications
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How-to Certify a Zero Waste Building
- Boston University (MA)
- University of California, Berkeley (CA)
In this session, Boston University & University of California Berkeley will provide an in-depth technical lab on how to certify a building zero waste: from building design to TRUE certification. …
- Posted Feb. 28, 2025
- Conference Presentations
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Unlocking the Puzzle: Building Performance Standards & Higher Ed
- Boston University (MA)
- Colorado State University (CO)
- University of Washington, Seattle (WA)
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (DC)
- United States Department of Energy (DC)
This Learning Lab, co-hosted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Boston University, Colorado State University, University of Washington, and the U.S. Department of Energy builds on a virtual workshop series …
- Posted Feb. 27, 2025
- Conference Presentations
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Fault Detection and Diagnostics at California State University, Northridge
- California State University, Northridge (CA)
- Siemens Industry, Inc. (IL)
This project has enhanced CSUN's understanding and management of its building mechanical systems, fostering collaboration among building controls specialists, HVAC mechanics, and sustainability staff. The Fault Detection and Diagnostics (FDD) …
- Posted Jan. 27, 2025
- Case Studies
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Wi-Fi Inferred Occupancy Count for Air Conditioning Optimisation
- Nanyang Technological University
An effective strategy to reduce building energy consumption is to optimise building controls using occupancy information. Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU) is trialling an innovative method for determining occupant counts …
- Posted Jan. 24, 2025
- Case Studies
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Green Lab Innovations to Advance Institutional Strategic Goals
- University of Pittsburgh (PA)
- University of Colorado Boulder (CO)
- AASHE (MA)
You have a Green Lab designation program, now what?
Learn how to develop complementary innovative green lab initiatives that foster sustainable research practices while fulfilling institutional sustainability objectives. Via examples …
- Posted Nov. 25, 2024
- Videos & Webinars
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Fullerton Arboretum Visitor Center Design Wins Award for Being 'Green'
- California State University, Fullerton (CA)
The energy-efficient, environmentally sustainable project received a Best Practices Award for Overall Sustainable Design.
It’s not yet completed, but the new Fullerton Arboretum Visitor Center has already won an award …
- Posted Oct. 22, 2024
- Photographs
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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
- Photographs
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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
- Photographs
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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
- Tools
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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
- Publications
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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
- Photographs
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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
- Photographs
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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
- Photographs
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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
- Photographs
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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
- 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.