Green buildings offer energy savings for University
Kelsey Gibbons
Issue date: 3/2/07 Section: News
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At the Oct. 16 Convocation ceremony, University President Constantine Papadakis unveiled massive changes planned for the Drexel campus. These changes included replacing Stratton and Matheson Halls, and expanding the Daskalakis Athletic Center, the Academic Building, the Rush Building and MacAlister Hall.
The University also plans to build two new residence halls (in addition to the new dormitory on Race Street), a biomedical center and a skyscraper near the Cira Centre. Lastly, the administration plans to demolish Myers Hall after these changes take place, to create more of a campus atmosphere.
Many students feel that this large building expansion plan presents the University with a unique opportunity to go "green." The U.S. Green Building Council rates buildings nationally based on their Leadership in Energy and Environment Design, or LEED, system, which takes into account factors such as a building's energy efficiency, water savings, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.
Daniel Steinberg, president of the Undergraduate Student Government Association, explained the USGA's support for LEED-certified buildings.
"It all comes down to responsibility," Steinberg said. "We understand that the students are serious about their commitment to creating a better future, and we intend to show the powers that be how important it truly is to us."
Many faculty members have also spoken in favor of LEED-certified buildings.
"An increasing number of major universities, including Drexel's peer institutions, such as Carnegie Mellon, Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech are all moving aggressively to construct LEED-certified buildings," explained Robert Brulle, an associate professor of sociology and environmental science at the University.
In the Environmental Protection Agency's 2006 report, the agency recognized that "colleges and universities have become a leading sector" in LEED-certified buildings, making up 51 of the 342 certified buildings in the United States.
The University also plans to build two new residence halls (in addition to the new dormitory on Race Street), a biomedical center and a skyscraper near the Cira Centre. Lastly, the administration plans to demolish Myers Hall after these changes take place, to create more of a campus atmosphere.
Many students feel that this large building expansion plan presents the University with a unique opportunity to go "green." The U.S. Green Building Council rates buildings nationally based on their Leadership in Energy and Environment Design, or LEED, system, which takes into account factors such as a building's energy efficiency, water savings, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.
Daniel Steinberg, president of the Undergraduate Student Government Association, explained the USGA's support for LEED-certified buildings.
"It all comes down to responsibility," Steinberg said. "We understand that the students are serious about their commitment to creating a better future, and we intend to show the powers that be how important it truly is to us."
Many faculty members have also spoken in favor of LEED-certified buildings.
"An increasing number of major universities, including Drexel's peer institutions, such as Carnegie Mellon, Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech are all moving aggressively to construct LEED-certified buildings," explained Robert Brulle, an associate professor of sociology and environmental science at the University.
In the Environmental Protection Agency's 2006 report, the agency recognized that "colleges and universities have become a leading sector" in LEED-certified buildings, making up 51 of the 342 certified buildings in the United States.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Don Wade
posted 3/04/07 @ 9:21 AM EST
A different approach to new school designs for LEED Certification may be to "think outside the box". Instead of just thinking about new ways to approach the design for the inside of the building - look at the whole complex - think outside the building. (Continued…)
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