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

Recycled Water Innovation at San Jose State University

  • San Jose State University (CA)

San Jose State University has a central plant that provides utilities (electricity, steam, and chilled water) to its main campus. It has been a customer of South Bay Water Recyclers ...


The WinterGreen Project

  • University of Manitoba (MB)

Wintergreen Project aims to develop technology needed to address the Northern Food Crisis by using hydroponic technologies to grow food in a shipping container


A High Performance Campus Building at Ozyegin University

  • Ozyegin University
  • Fiba Holding
  • Fundacion Circe Centro De Investigacion De Recursos Y Consumos Energeticos (CIRCE)
  • DIRCO S.R.L.
  • SP Sveriges Tekniska Forskningsinstitut Ab (SP)
  • Vue Sur Mons S.A (VSM)
  • D´appolonia Spa (Dappo)
  • Acciona Infraestructuras S.A. (Acciona)
  • Université de Mons
  • Imprima Costruzioni Srl (Imprima)
  • Derome Hus Ab (Derome)
  • M5
  • Ingenieria Y Control Electronico, S.A. (Ingecon)
  • Bureau D'architectes Format D2 Sprl (FD2)
  • Intesasanpaolo Eurodesk S.P.R.L. (ISPE)
  • University of Zaragoza
  • Bg Mi̇marlik Müşavi̇rli̇k Li̇mi̇ted Şi̇rketi̇ (BDesign)

This AASHE application is about a high-performance energy-efficient sustainable building of The School of Foreign Languages (SCOLA) at the Ozyegin University (OzU) Campus as a sustainability initiative OzU has constructed ...


UMCycle Bike Kiosk and Cycle Plaza

  • University of Manitoba (MB)

The UMCycle Bike Kiosk offers a four-season community bike shop where University students, faculty, staff and surrounding community can come together to get their bikes serviced; connect with other cycle ...


The Carleton Utility Master Plan: Transitioning a 100-year Legacy of Campus Steam to 21st Century Geothermal

  • Carleton College (MN)

The last time Carleton College made a major shift in its campus utilities was over 100 years ago with construction of the central plant in 1910. Before that, each building ...


Integrated Teaching and Practice: Green Infrastructure Planning and Green Roof Performance in a Semi-Arid Campus Environment, USA

  • University of Arizona (AZ)
  • Utah State University (UT)

This paper presents an integrated education and research program that involves extensive participation from stakeholders on campus and beyond. The resultant water conscious design proposal promotes efficient stormwater management on ...

  • Posted April 29, 2019
  • Publications
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Climate Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Roofs and Pavements: A Case Study at Sapienza University Campus

  • University of Rome Tor Vergata

The progressively emerging concept of urban resilience to climate change highlights the importance of mitigation and adaptation measures, and the need to integrate urban climatology in the design process, in ...

  • Posted April 29, 2019
  • Publications
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Piloting Sustainability in UVA Research Labs

  • University of Virginia (VA)

A one-year, comprehensive study in three campus research labs illustrates the benefits of small-scale infrastructural improvements paired with occupant engagement techniques . Lighting upgrades, equipment timers, and freezer set-points were targeted ...

  • Posted April 29, 2019
  • Publications
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Sustainability Quest

  • University of Illinois Chicago (IL)

Students Hula hooped 64 rotations for the 64 geothermal wells on University of Illinois at Chicago's campus! This was one of four stops on the Sustainability Quest to spread ...

  • Posted April 29, 2019
  • Photographs
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Hampshire College’s R.W. Kern Center- A Living & Learning Building

  • Hampshire College (MA)
  • AASHE (PA)

Located at the heart of Hampshire College campus, the R.W. Kern Center is a certified Living Building: generating its own energy, capturing and treating its own water, and processing ...

  • Posted March 21, 2019
  • Videos & Webinars
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Looking for Sustainable Systems on Campus

  • Pennsylvania State University (PA)
  • State University of New York at New Paltz (NY)

Higher education campuses play an important role in developing visionary models of sustainability that integrate campus facilities, student learning, and research. We reflect on a series of visits to campuses ...

  • Posted Jan. 11, 2019
  • Publications
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Reflections of a green university building: from design to occupation

  • RMIT University

The purpose of this paper is to present outcomes from a post-occupancy evaluation (POE) of a sustainable university building development.

A POE was conducted for a sustainable university building in ...

  • Posted Jan. 11, 2019
  • Publications
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AASHE STARS Credits through ENERGY STAR®

  • AASHE (PA)
  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (DC)

Download this five-page guide for a summary of ENERGY STAR tools and resources that could be used to earn AASHE STARS credits (version 2.1, July 2017), including credit descriptions ...


Energy and Climate Planning at Rice University

  • Rice University (TX)

Rice University completed the Rice Integrated Climate and Energy Master Plan (RICEMaP) in 2013. Since that time, the world has arguably entered into a period of significant transition with respect ...

  • Posted Nov. 8, 2018
  • Conference Presentations
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How a College Student Turned His Campus Sustainability Program Into a Fortune 500 Company

  • Atrius (CA)

As a student at Oberlin, Vladi Shunturov gained his passion in buildings and was determined to find a way to make the built environment more sustainable and efficient. Vladi and ...

  • Posted Nov. 5, 2018
  • Conference Presentations
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Redefining Sustainable Campuses and Development Through the Lens of Health and Wellness

  • Consigli Construction Co., Inc. (MA)

Our understanding of how the built environment impacts health and wellness has increased significantly in recent years; however, the human and social elements of sustainability are frequently given less attention ...

  • Posted Nov. 5, 2018
  • Conference Presentations
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Saving Water in University Library

  • Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) (IN)

Being an urban campus the preservation of resources such as water are becoming more and more crucial. This project is a move in that direction, as well as that it ...

  • Posted Nov. 5, 2018
  • Conference Presentations
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A Comparison of four Campuses Water Usage: A look at contrasting water profiles in the Southwest.

  • Arizona State University (AZ)

We will introduce you to four campuses of varying sizes, disciplines, histories - all located in the Southwest and part of one University. Each campus has its own water profile 'personality ...

  • Posted Nov. 5, 2018
  • Conference Presentations
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How University Transportation Practitioners are Transforming USGBC's Global Transportation Emphasis

  • Cornell University (NY)
  • Stanford University (CA)
  • U.S. Green Building Council (DC)
  • Massachusetts State College Building Authority (MA)

Transportation is the fastest growing source of global C02 emissions. Two years ago, the USGBC added Parksmart, a parking-structure and transportation certification program, into its suite of offerings. Universities have ...

  • Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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The Gold 1 Garage - Parksmart Case Study

  • WTW Architects (PA)

Sustainable parking structures are being designed and constructed across the country and around the world. Parksmart℠  is the world's only rating system defining and recognizing sustainable practices in parking ...

  • Posted Nov. 5, 2018
  • Conference Presentations
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Co-Designing a Sustainable, Native American Cultural Center with the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate

  • University of Virginia (VA)

Public engagement is a crucial way for higher education institutions to align their teaching and research activities around the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This case study examines how an interdisciplinary ...

  • Posted Nov. 5, 2018
  • Conference Presentations
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How Higher Ed Helps Enact Tomorrow's Climate Change Legislation, Today!

  • New York University (NY)

New York City is poised to enact the world's most sweeping climate change legislation, based on the innovation, validation, and support of higher education. How did NYU lead in ...

  • Posted Nov. 5, 2018
  • Conference Presentations
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Campus-Wide Change: Turn Down for Watt

  • Northern Michigan University (MI)

Northern Michigan University's EcoReps and Facilities Management hosted the first Turn Down the Lights campaign during Sustainability Week in March 2018. During this week, corridor lights were turned off ...

  • Posted Nov. 5, 2018
  • Conference Presentations
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How to Benchmark Your Building in Five Minutes or Less

  • Atrius (CA)

As a management practice, benchmarking involves tracking building performance by regularly measuring key performance indicators such as energy use and periods of peak and low demand. Benchmarking then compares current ...

  • Posted Nov. 5, 2018
  • Conference Presentations
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Occupant Engagement and Centralized Controls: a Hybrid Energy Management Solution With Major Savings

  • Keewi Inc. (CA)

Introduction: Plug loads (PL), devices plugged into wall outlets, comprise approximately 1/3 of electricity use of commercial buildings, and are expected to rise to 1/2 by 2030. Traditional ...

  • Posted Nov. 5, 2018
  • Conference Presentations
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Using Sub-Metering to Prioritize and Measure Energy Management Projects

  • Macalester College (MN)

Every institution faces limitations as it relates to spending money. These limitations can be on operating budgets, staffing levels, or both. It is paramount while operating within these limits to ...

  • Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Paying for Sustainable Development from Wasted Energy

  • NORESCO (NC)

The World Green Building Council posits that green buildings support nine UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Public-Private Partnerships (P3) have become a popular mechanism for higher education institutions to transform ...

  • Posted Nov. 5, 2018
  • Conference Presentations
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Turning Energy Challenges into Solutions at Higher Education Facilities

  • Constellation Energy (MD)

While budget cuts and finite resources can often act as hurdles to enacting energy efficiency improvements, these investments can produce long-term and unmatched benefits that significantly reduce overall energy expenses ...

  • Posted Nov. 5, 2018
  • Conference Presentations
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Infusing Energy Management with Classroom Scheduling

  • Western Technical College (WI)

Western Technical College integrated its classroom scheduling software with its building automation system software in the summer of 2017. This project allows us to control the heating and cooling of ...

  • Posted Nov. 5, 2018
  • Conference Presentations
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Student-Developed Energy Management Information System

  • Macalester College (MN)

Like many other educational institutions, our college cares about the efficient use of energy and seeks ways to reduce its impact on the environment. We promote energy-wise behavior among students ...

  • Posted Nov. 5, 2018
  • Conference Presentations
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Creating a Successful Campus Temperature Policy

  • Wesleyan University (CT)

Heating and cooling account for more than 60% of Wesleyan's energy and carbon footprint. In 2013, Wesleyan's Utilities Manager estimated that we could reduce our energy consumption 20 ...

  • Posted Nov. 5, 2018
  • Conference Presentations
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The Impact of Real-time Visual Feedback on Electric Consumption at Middlebury College

  • Middlebury College (VT)

The typical associations with 'energy efficiency' are production oriented. However, in order to make a meaningful impact, these innovative production solutions need to be matched equally with creative ways to ...

  • Posted Nov. 5, 2018
  • Conference Presentations
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University of Denver's Renter Efficiency Program for Students

  • University of Denver (CO)

The University of Denver's Renter Efficiency Program for Students offers free energy audits to students who are renting off campus houses or apartments. The goal of these energy audits ...

  • Posted Nov. 5, 2018
  • Conference Presentations
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The Upgrade Alternative: When Energy Upgrades Prove Cost Prohibitive, Microgrids Offer Another Path

  • SimpliPhi (CA)

K-12 and higher education systems across the U.S. and beyond often struggle to upgrade or install energy efficient HVAC and other energy equipment in the face of shrinking budgets ...

  • Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Piloting of a Hybrid Continuous, Live, Virtual, and Traditional Energy Audit Methodology

  • Florida Gulf Coast University (FL)

This poster showcases a comprehensive, student-driven energy efficiency study at Florida Gulf Coast University. This case study examines best practices for energy metering and benchmarking in a single campus building ...

  • Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Estimating the financial feasibility and technical potential for solar PV on all U.S. schools

  • Carnegie Mellon University (PA)

In 2016, approximately 64% of total electricity generated in the United States came from fossil fuel sources, while approximately 2% came from solar photovoltaic (PV) electricity generation. Due to this ...

  • Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Bates College Conversion to Burn New Wood-Based, Liquid Fuel in Central Steam Plant

  • Bates College (ME)

Bates College has begun burning a new, wood-based liquid fuel in its central steam plant - the first college in the country to do so. This new fuel, called Renewable Fuel ...

  • Posted Nov. 5, 2018
  • Conference Presentations
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Reduce Peak Demand and Increase Grid Stability With On-Site Energy Storage

  • Austin Community College (TX)

The Austin Community College District (ACC) has installed a 72kW energy storage system on their Eastview campus. The grant funded battery project, known as Sustainable and Holistic Integration of Energy ...

  • Posted Nov. 5, 2018
  • Conference Presentations
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So You've Got Energy Meters - Now what? Dealing With the Other Challenges to Getting Energy Data

  • Amherst College (MA)
  • Smith College (MA)
  • Williams College (MA)

It's hard to manage what you don't measure, and this is especially true with energy. We are strong believers in the role energy data analysis plays in helping ...

  • Posted Nov. 5, 2018
  • Conference Presentations
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Step Changes in Climate Action: Data-Driven Plans to Decarbonize Campus Energy Systems

  • Amherst College (MA)
  • Smith College (MA)
  • Integral Group (CA)

Answering the call to address the climate crisis is one of the central themes of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Colleges and universities have been working to deploy energy ...

  • Posted Nov. 5, 2018
  • Conference Presentations
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Re-Design Certificate: Regenerative Ecological Design

  • Ecosa Institute (AZ)

United Nations Environmental Program has claimed that our planet is amid its sixth major extinction of biological diversity. U.N. scientists estimate that 150-200 species become extinct every 24 hours ...

  • Posted Nov. 5, 2018
  • Conference Presentations
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Mindful Unbuilding: A Zero Waste Campus-Community Adventure

  • DePauw University (IN)

What does a university do with a vacant old house that cannot be restored? Ordinarily: bulldoze it and haul it away to a landfill. But what if you were to ...

  • Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Leverage Key Facilities Metrics to Advance Sustainability - Survey Could be 'Gateway Drug' to STARS

  • National Association of College & University Business Officers (NACUBO) (DC)

Most participants know that STARS is a holistic value laden intensive survey that has produced fantastic results and encouraged sustainability success from campuses. Overall, by reviewing and implementing the AASHE ...

  • Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Campus Central Plants - Assets or Liabilities in Achieving Carbon and Resiliency Goals

  • Pratt Institute (NY)

Pratt Institute along with many other Colleges have central plants that provide power and HVAC to campus buildings. How do these plants fit into the new carbon restrained world with ...

  • Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Extending Sustainability Practices to Tenant Spaces: Green Leasing at Portland State University

  • Portland State University (OR)

Portland State University (PSU) is home to approximately 60 commercial tenants. Tenants range from food service and retail, to offices, banks, ATMs, and advertising. To encourage sustainability practices and behaviors ...

  • Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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How Knowledge Can Create a Culture of Sustainability

  • Gonzaga University (WA)
  • Atrius (CA)

In the United States, buildings account for nearly 70 percent of electricity consumption. According to the EPA, up to 30 percent of electricity is inefficiently or unnecessarily used. In light ...

  • Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Sustainability in Corl Street Elementary School

  • Pennsylvania State University (PA)

Corl Street Elementary is undergoing a renovation to meet the gold standard LEED Certification. The certification is more likely to be awarded if the school building serves as a teaching ...

  • Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Phase Change Materials

  • Northern Arizona University (AZ)

The phase change material is an easy solution to temperature fluctuations from the weather outside. These materials are a new way to insulate a building. The materials go into the ...

  • Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Making Positive Impacts With Zero Energy Buildings

  • California State University, Northridge (CA)
  • Millersville University (PA)
  • Spillman Farmer Architects (PA)

Zero Energy buildings generate all the energy that they need onsite from renewable sources. Getting there requires significant energy efficiency, onsite renewable energy generation, ongoing occupant engagement, and performance-based energy ...

  • Posted Nov. 5, 2018
  • Conference Presentations
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Green Nerds in FM: Building Automation Strategies to Support Sustainability Goals

  • Eastern Mennonite University (VA)

Efficient use of energy is an important part of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 7 of affordable and clean energy. While many building systems efficiency improvements require a capital ...

  • Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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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