Spring Break
Buildin' On Up
CSU facilities built to green standards
Natasha Pepperl
Issue date: 3/31/09 Section: News
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Those involved in the planning and construction phases of the almost $400 million in construction said each of the 17 current projects -- all scheduled to be completed on-time -- were planned to receive green certification through the use of recycled construction materials, natural and energy efficient lighting, fixtures and landscaping.
"Just from an energy conservation point … we will save money over time because (CSU) will be reducing energy use," said Brian Chase, director of Facilities Management.
"(The university) will more than get its money back, which also reduces (its) carbon footprint."
Chase said the new buildings and facilities were developed to receive high Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification as determined by the U.S. Green Building Council.
In order to achieve the gold level of LEED certification --Â which ranges from "certified" to "platinum" --Â on all but one of the construction projects, the university had to meet certain requirements, which included:
Installation of low-use water fixtures
Landscaping with native materials to reduce water use
Landscaping with microclimates to reduce building energy output
Developing on land that was previously developed
Using storm water sources for irrigation
Installation of solar arrays
Building with rapidly renewable, recyclable materials
Energy efficient lighting fixtures and
Maximization of natural lighting spaces.
The Academic Instruction Building, a four-story, 90,000 square-foot instruction building situated to the South of the C-wing of the Clark building, will feature two large atria in order to utilize natural light to save on energy costs.
Architect Per Hogestad, who developed a strategy to achieve LEED certification on several of the facilities, said high performance glass will be used in the windows of both this building and the new Academic Village residence hall in order to maximize the amount of ultra-violet light let in during the winter and minimize the light's penetration in the summer.
Hogestad added that solar arrays would be installed on the roofs of the Academic Instruction Building and the Lake Street Parking Garage in order to capture solar power, acting as an alternative energy source in addition to traditional systems.
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