For those readers whose thermostat happens to be the nearest window, it may come as a surprise that this institute has taken large steps toward more sustainable building practices. Yet, between development of new ideas and technologies through its research initiatives and the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification of its most high-profile construction projects, RPI is showing its commitment to developing smart, efficient, high-performance structures on campus.
Exhibit A: The Curtis R. Priem Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center. Given the hype surrounding this building’s more obvious artistic and technological aspects, it is easy to overlook the fact that it qualifies for silver status by the United States Green Building Council LEED. Features include an alternative fueling station, a low-absorption roof, low-CFC HVAC equipment, and 20 percent of materials obtained within 500 miles of site.
Exhibit B: The East Campus Athletic Village project. In addition to bringing RPI athletics to the next level, this project will do the same for RPI sustainability. Also projecting towards LEED silver status, ECAV will go even further at integrating water and energy efficiency into not only the final product, but also the entire construction process.
Exhibit C: Research initiatives. Nestled within the School of Architecture, the Built Ecologies program is principled upon the idea that buildings should be designed with awareness of the surrounding environment, taking advantage of ecological knowledge and developing design technologies that reflect these connections. This program has been enhanced recently by the launch of the Center for Architecture Science and Ecology which, in conjunction with world-renowned design firm Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, will offer a base for graduate research to flourish and eventually connect with real-world implementation. Other Institute developments specifically suited for the advancement of sustainable buildings include the Future Chips Constellation research group investigating material reflectivity for LEDs and solar panels, the multi-university ERC Smart Lighting research group, and the recent student start-up company Ecovative Design’s Greensulate organic insulation.
Exhibit D: Student commitment. Last spring’s successful EcoHall Challenge brought about actual physical reductions in energy use in freshman dorms across campus. Without any new technology or capital investment, individuals were successful at making their building more sustainable. It remains to be seen if this year’s freshman class will take this challenge to the next level.
The recent Sustainability at Rensselaer report by the Student Sustainability Task Force highlighted five benchmarks by which to measure sustainability progress on campus: operations, education, research, leadership, and culture. By these standards, current green building practices at Rensselaer already bridge these five categories. Yet again, for those of you with window thermostats, RPI obviously still has a long way to go. Stay tuned for the implementation of an Institute-wide sustainability task force that further advances sustainable building practices at Rensselaer. For specifics on the LEED certification of EMPAC and ECAV, visit the RPI sustainability blog at http://blogger.rpi.edu/sustainability/.
