Current Construction | Completed Construction | Maintenance
In keeping with OSU's commitment to sustainable development and environmental stewardship, many building projects include "green" building techniques. The result is a more sustainable campus, and better student and community awareness of best-practices in buildings and building systems.
OSU applies to certain large projects the US Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification system. All capital construction projects, however, are required to meet the point equivalent of LEED Silver as required by the State of Oregon. This State policy serves as the green building policy for OSU.
OSU's 1920s era heat plant provides steam to most campus buildings. A replacement facility, currently under construction, will generate steam and electricity. This co-generating, or combined heat and power (CHP), technology greatly increases efficiencies by utilizing waste heat from the electrical generation process.
Energy Center systems will be configured for future use of renewable fuels, such as biodiesel and methane. CHP facilities are used on many college campuses because of high efficiency and enhanced reliability. This facility will reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOX), carbon monoxide (CO), and greenhouse gases.
Additional benefits of this project include:
The Energy Center building is being designed to LEED green building standards, and is anticipated to achieve a Gold rating, with the possibility of Platinum. Read more in the talking points.
The Kelley Engineering Center is the physical centerpiece of the OSU College of Engineering drive to become one of the nation's top-25 engineering programs. The new building's design is centered on communication, innovation and responsible environmental design.
Kelley Engineering as viewed from the northwest
Kelley Engineering Center is certified LEED Gold from U.S. Green Building Council, making it the “greenest” academic engineering building in United States. The four-story, 153,000-sq.ft., $45 million building features extensive sustainable "green" design elements, used to educate students and others about sustainability and renewable energy issues.
Check out the Kelley webcam, and read the complete fact sheet (Word document)
The $80 million Reser Stadium renovation, prior to the 2005 season, added and expanded a new east side section. The structure includes numerous state-of-the-art amenities, including the spacious Club and Loge levels.
This project, while not LEED certified, took sustainability into consideration in many respects. Some highlights include:
Check out the complete list on the fact sheet.
Originally constructed in 1928 then closed in 1994, Weatherford Hall is a landmark building that reopened in 2004 after an extensive historic renovation. The LEED-registered remodel is home to one of the first residential colleges on the west coast. It is a collaborative effort of the College of Business, the College of Engineering, University Housing and Dining Services, and Facilities Services at OSU.
Aramark is OSU's contracted custodial service and predominantly uses environmentally friendly cleaning solutions. Aramark is currently testing Ecolab's green OASIS line in selected areas at OSU. Other improvements include:
| Rather than traditional floor wax, Aramark is applying a polymer based finish which, with proper maintenance, does not need seasonal stripping and reapplication. Wax strippers are very caustic and when mixed with old finish, form undesirable waste products. A less toxic product can be used to routinely maintain the floor. Additionally, in October 2004, Aramark implemented a matting program for all of the Facilities-maintained buildings to keep out dirt and improve indoor air quality. |  |
The Oregon Natural Step Network, working directly with the Paint Shop crew, completed a Natural Step (TNS) back-casting exercise in April 2005 to formulate a strategic plan for the Shop. The plan provides specific long-term planning and identifies and ranks short-term actions. Check the link above for more detail.
