Case Studies
Introduction
AASHE’s case study library contains hundreds of detailed case studies on a wide variety of higher education sustainability initiatives from faculty development programs to whole campus energy retrofits to community partnerships. All case studies are entered in the annual AASHE Awards Program.
At a Glance
Total Resources
Organizations
Countries
U.S. States & Territories
Canadian Provinces
Bars in graphs can be clicked to view resources that align with a particular category. Because a resource may be listed under multiple topics and disciplines, graph data may include higher total counts than what is indicated in total resources above.
New Resources
Design for Vulnerables
- Tecnológico de Monterrey – Campus Monterrey (Nuevo Leon)
- Tecnológico de Monterrey – Campus Chihuahua (Chihuahua)
Design for “Vulnerables – Technology Challenge” is a project idealized and created in Tecnológico de Monterrey, Chihuahua Campus, it aims to understand how design processes can facilitate the introduction …
- Posted Jan. 24, 2025
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Boston University Center for Computing & Data Sciences
- Boston University (MA)
Boston University’s Center for Computing & Data Sciences is the University’s largest [academic building] addition to the Charles River Campus in 50 years and its most sustainable building to date. …
- Posted May 31, 2023
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USC Urban Trees Initiative
- University of Southern California (CA)
The USC Urban Trees Initiative (USC Trees) brings together faculty, staff, and student researchers at the University of Southern California to help the City of Los Angeles and local nonprofits …
- Posted May 31, 2023
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Campus RainWorks Challenge
- University of Texas at Arlington (TX)
The Campus RainWorks Challenge is a green infrastructure design competition for American colleges and universities that seeks to engage with the next generation of environmental professionals, foster a dialogue about …
- Posted May 3, 2023
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First Net Zero Carbon Building certification for a retrofit in Canada: Humber College NX building
- Humber Polytechnic (ON)
Located in the center of Humber’s North Campus in Toronto, Building NX has transformed from one of the campus’ most inefficient buildings, to an industry-leading example of zero carbon excellence. …
- Posted May 18, 2020
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Do, Learn, Do: Expanding Green Roof Infrastructure at Notre Dame
- University of Notre Dame (IN)
*See this story for more information: https://news.nd.edu/news/largest-roof-greenscape-in-indiana-lives-atop-notre-dames-joyce-center/ *
Athletics are key to campus life at the University of Notre Dame, as are the facilities that make them possible. Over the …
- Posted May 17, 2019
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The Ripple Effect: Community Cultivated, Regionally Replicated
- University of Louisiana at Lafayette (LA)
Last fall, the U.S. Global Change Research Program released “Volume II: Impacts, Risks, and Adaptation in the United States” from the Fourth National Climate Assessment (NCA4). It emphasizes that the …
- Posted May 17, 2019
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A High Performance Campus Building at Ozyegin University
- Özyeğin University
- University of Zaragoza
- Bg Mi̇marlik Müşavi̇rli̇k Li̇mi̇ted Şi̇rketi̇ (BDesign)
- 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)
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 …
- Posted May 13, 2019
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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 …
- Posted May 13, 2019
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University of Memphis - Green Fee
- University of Memphis (TN)
The Sustainability Fee, commonly known as the Green Fee, at the University of Memphis, was initiated by students and launched in 2007. The purpose of the fee is to support …
- Posted May 21, 2018
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Portland State University: Driving Rigorous Sustainability through Top-Level Policies
- Portland State University (OR)
Portland State University (PSU), situated in the University District of downtown Portland, Oregon, is the only public urban university in the state located in a major metropolitan city. A recognized …
- Posted May 21, 2018
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Deep Energy Retrofits at Humber College's Building N
- Humber Polytechnic (ON)
In 2015, the College developed an Integrated Energy Master Plan (IEMP) with impressive goals to greatly reduce energy and water use by 2034. Specifically, Humber’s IEMP sets the following targets: …
- Posted May 21, 2018
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Mississippi State Community Garden
- Mississippi State University (MS)
In the spring of 2017, the Student Association at Mississippi State University secured funding to further sustainability on campus. This funding was used in part to hold a proposal competition. …
- Posted May 18, 2018
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Building as a Living Laboratory: The Integrated Technology Center
- Western Technical College (WI)
When you enter an academic building on a college campus, you expect that learning takes place there. Desks and labs, offices and hallways, students and faculty—all are standard. But what …
- Posted May 22, 2017
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Temple Tiny House
- Temple University (PA)
The Temple University Tiny House project is a student designed and student constructed sustainable building located at Temple Community Garden on main campus. Completed in spring 2017, the 175 square …
- Posted May 11, 2017
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INhouse : a design|build project focused on collaboration, student engagement, and situational design
- California Polytechnic State University (CA)
INhouse was a net-zero residence designed by a collaborative Cal Poly San Luis Obispo team in response to the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2015.
The Solar Decathlon is …
- Posted April 24, 2017
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Point of Departure: Place Making and Identity Via Integrated, Didactic & Sustainable Transit Shelters
- University of Kentucky (KY)
The College of Design (CoD) & The Center for Applied Energy Research (CAER) saw an opportunity to advance the University of Kentucky’s sustainability agenda by developing real world projects—critically placed …
- Posted June 11, 2016
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BEE / HOUSE / LAB International Design Competition
- University of Manitoba (MB)
BEE / HOUSE / LAB is an international design competition hosted by the University of Manitoba and open to students and designers in the field of environmental design, architecture, landscape …
- Posted June 10, 2016
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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
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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
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Student Design Fund
- University of Tennessee at Knoxville (TN)
The Student Design/Research Project Fund is a new and innovative sustainability project from the University of Tennessee. It created a pool of money to where applicants can apply for funding …
- Posted June 6, 2016
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4th Avenue Parklet
- Portland State University (OR)
The 4th Avenue Parklet was researched, designed and built by students from Portland State University's School of Architecture to creatively addresses sustainability based place-making issues in Portland's South of Market …
- Posted June 8, 2015
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Alfred State's Net-Zero Energy Demonstration Home
- Alfred State College (NY)
Students in a variety of construction-related programs at Alfred State constructed a net-zero energy demonstration home as part of their coursework. The 2200 square foot home, which is located on …
- Posted July 9, 2012
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