Green Design
The Ed Roberts Campus is green, providing a safe, clean environment:
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Natural ventilation and non-toxic materials foster healthy indoor air quality.
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Abundant, glare-free interior daylight enhance visibility and reduce energy.
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Energy-efficient building systems reduce energy consumption by over 50%.
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Roof-top photovoltaic systems reduce external energy use and lower costs.
Although the ERC did not seek formal LEED certification due to cost, the building meets LEED Gold requirements. (LEED is an internationally recognized green building certification system that has standards for Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy and Atmosphere, Materials and Resources, and Indoor Environmental Quality.)
Sustainable components include exterior shading, natural ventilation, energy-efficient mechanical and lighting systems, and the use of recycled, sustainably harvested, and rapidly renewable materials. ERC emphasizes natural light from the large windows surrounding the building and the circular skylight in the lobby. Shading devices control both glare and heat. Using recycled building materials is a sustainable practice that can be seen in many places. For example, the vertical guardrails of the central ramp are covered with a deep Indian-red resin made from recycled milk cartons. Bulletin boards are made from 53% post industrial recycled content. Carpets include 39% recycled content. Marmoleum flooring used in bathrooms is made from natural raw materials including linseed oil (from flax seeds), and ecologically-friendly pigments that contain no heavy metals such as lead or cadmium, and was.installed with solvent free adhesives. Furniture is Forest Stewardship Council-certified to come from well-managed forests, controlled sources, and recycled wood or fiber.
last updated 7.5.11