Building Green @ UConn

Green Building / LEED Certification Workgroup

Workgroup Goal

To continue to assist project leaders in pursuing LEED certification for all new construction and renovation projects under the Green Building Initiative.

Background

The University of Connecticut is committed to environmentally responsible management and growth, as stated in our new Environmental Policy. The University recognizes the environmental, health and productivity benefits, as well as long-term cost savings, inherent in sustainable design and construction practices. For several years, UConn has been designing and constructing buildings with features that reduce utility costs by saving energy and conserving water.

Past Achievements

UConn is one of only a handful of universities across the country to have articulated its vision for environmentally sustainable development by adopting its own Sustainable Design Guidelines (SDGs). Developed in 2003-04 as a collaborative effort among staff, faculty and students serving on the University's Building & Grounds Committee, Master Plan Advisory Committee, and EPAC Land Use & Sustainable Development Subcommittee, these guidelines will apply to construction projects throughout the next decade of the University's capital improvement program (21st Century UConn).  Our SDGs contain not only technical considerations, but also a process that ensures integration of sustainable thinking into planning, design and project delivery.

Most recently, UConn's vision of green building involves the incorporation of Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design, or LEED®, standards to select University capital improvement projects.  The University has committed to pursue formal LEED certification for these projects, provided that it is not cost prohibitive.  With this emphasis on technical and economic feasibility, UConn will carefully monitor and strive to contain any additional cost premiums associated with LEED certification, and will utilize life-cycle analysis to choose the most cost-effective strategies. In March 2007, the University formally adopted a new Sustainable Design and Construction Policy, which pledges that the University of Connecticut shall plan, design, construct, renovate and maintain sustainable, energy- and water-efficient buildings. All new constructionprjects will also persue at least a LEED silver rating for projects estimated at greater than $5 million.

Recent Progress

• The Burton Family Football Complex and Mark R. Shenkman Training Center is now listed as the first LEED registered complex in the NCAA.  (To learn more about the Burton/Shenkman Facility and its sustainable design, please click on the link above.)
         
• A new Social Sciences building is in the design phase and will be used to replace Arjona and Monteith. The building will be located between Homer Babbidge Library and Hawley Armory and will house the Journalism, Modern and Classical Languages, Political Science, Economics, Linguistics, and Communications departments. UConn is attempting to achieve a silver LEED rating for this building and green features under consideration include but are not limited to:
  • Low flow faucets and dual flush toilets
  • Rain gardens
  • Use of recycled materials
  • Motion sensors
  • Window glazing
  • Compact fluorescent and solar lighting
    
• The University is continuing to research green building materials and practices as directed per project, including the Landfill Remediation Project, the North Hillside Rd. Extension, the Hilltop Apartments renovation, and the relocation of the tennis courts to North Campus.
     
• The workgroup is in the process of coordinating with the UConn Foundation to develop a revolving loan fund to support green building efforts.
  

2005-2006 Workgroup

Land Use and Sustainable Development

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