Spring Break
Greener outlook for new buildings
by Shana D. Lebowitz
Features Editor
News | 10/9/07
Posted online at 9:29 PM EST on 10/8/07
/ Last updated at 7:58 PM EST on 10/8/07
The University is making environmental responsibility a high priority in its current construction projects.
Brandeis positions buildings to make use of natural light and collect rainwater underground. The buildings use recycled and recyclable materials, and Brandeis purchases materials locally, uses low VOC paint and adhesives during construction and uses dual-level lighting controls, according to vice president for capital projects dan Feldman.
Construction on the new Ridgewood residence hall and the Carl J. Shapiro Science Center is underway on campus, the Edmund J. Safra Center for the Arts is scheduled to begin construction later this semester and the University is scheduled to break ground on a new admissions building this summer. Feldman said environmentally responsible design is at the center of the process for capital projects on campus.
Brandeis is also in the process of hiring a coordinator to organize the efforts toward environmental sustainability, Feldman said. The coordinator will report to Bill Bushey, the University's energy manager, who reports to Mark Collins, Vice President for University Services.
The University's effort to create a greener campus through construction began with the Irving Schneider and Family Building, part of the Heller School for Social Policy and Management. The building, completed last September, was designed with large windows to make use of natural light, used a small amount of VOC paints and was built with durable materials such as recycled steel, according to the Office of Capital Projects.
Last month, University President Jehuda Reinharz joined 400 other schools by signing the American Colleges and University Climate Commitment petition, pledging to reduce the University's greenhouse gas emissions. The petition also calls for environmentally responsible construction.
The University will purchase 15 percent of its energy from renewable sources in the coming fiscal year, as part of a decision made by Peter French, Mark Collins and Bushey, Feldman said.
Brandeis positions buildings to make use of natural light and collect rainwater underground. The buildings use recycled and recyclable materials, and Brandeis purchases materials locally, uses low VOC paint and adhesives during construction and uses dual-level lighting controls, according to vice president for capital projects dan Feldman.
Construction on the new Ridgewood residence hall and the Carl J. Shapiro Science Center is underway on campus, the Edmund J. Safra Center for the Arts is scheduled to begin construction later this semester and the University is scheduled to break ground on a new admissions building this summer. Feldman said environmentally responsible design is at the center of the process for capital projects on campus.
Brandeis is also in the process of hiring a coordinator to organize the efforts toward environmental sustainability, Feldman said. The coordinator will report to Bill Bushey, the University's energy manager, who reports to Mark Collins, Vice President for University Services.
The University's effort to create a greener campus through construction began with the Irving Schneider and Family Building, part of the Heller School for Social Policy and Management. The building, completed last September, was designed with large windows to make use of natural light, used a small amount of VOC paints and was built with durable materials such as recycled steel, according to the Office of Capital Projects.
Last month, University President Jehuda Reinharz joined 400 other schools by signing the American Colleges and University Climate Commitment petition, pledging to reduce the University's greenhouse gas emissions. The petition also calls for environmentally responsible construction.
The University will purchase 15 percent of its energy from renewable sources in the coming fiscal year, as part of a decision made by Peter French, Mark Collins and Bushey, Feldman said.
Be the first to comment on this story