UA Becomes Institutional Member of U.S. Green Building Council

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The University of Alabama recently became an institutional member of the U.S. Green Building Council. By joining the USGBC, UA officials hope to raise the profile of sustainability and demonstrate the principles of green building on campus through educational courses and the incorporation of green design in UA facilities.

“In an effort to further the stewardship of the University and community resources, the Capstone is enhancing its commitment to the principles of a sustainable built environment by joining the USGBC,” explained Tim Leopard, assistant vice president for planning design and construction.

“While the University already embraces and incorporates many of the principles of LEED in the development of its projects, joining the USGBC will provide a formalized and structured framework by which the University can improve, guide and measure its performance in the development and execution of projects,” said Leopard.

LEED, or Leaders in Energy and Environmental Design, addresses all building types and emphasizes state-of-the-art strategies for sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials and resources selection, and indoor environment quality. LEED is a voluntary, consensus-based national rating system for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings.

In addition to impacting campus facilities through the USGBC membership, UA will be providing educational courses on the LEED framework. Dr. Joe Brown, assistant professor of New College, will teach UA’s first course concerning current approaches to sustainability and green design in the built environment. The course is a hands-on design experience that focuses on incorporating green design in low-cost housing in West Alabama.

“This course will not only introduce students to the core principles of the LEED framework, but it will help them cultivate systems thinking concerning sustainable design and construction,” said Brown. “I want these students to develop the ability to conceptualize and apply green design principles to existing buildings and to gain an increased appreciation for LEED concepts.”

The College of Engineering will also incorporate LEED principles into civil, construction and environmental engineering classes.

A few examples of UA projects incorporating LEED principles and objectives include:

• Foster Auditorium roof – used recycled material for roofing and preserved building for future adaptive use
• Lloyd Hall Renovations – adapted use of building from chemistry lab to classroom building
• Graves Hall Renovations – updated building mechanical and electrical systems to improve energy efficiency and to improve the environment the building occupants work and learn in
• Palmer Lake Redevelopment – incorporated storm water treatment to improve overall water quality
• Implementation of the Crimson Ride Transportation System – should reduce the aggregate emission of green house gases, improve the environment of campus by replacing cars with open space, and improve walking and movement through campus by minimizing pedestrian-vehicular conflicts.

The U.S. Green Building Council is a non-profit organization committed to expanding sustainable building practices. USGBC is composed of more than 12,000 organizations from across the building industry that are working to advance structures that are environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to live and work.