Sustainability is not just a buzzword on campus construction sites.

Of the nearly half dozen projects recently completed or under construction at Cal State Northridge, all have exceeded state guidelines for energy efficiency by 15 to 30 percent. The designers of at least two—the Valley Performing Arts Center at California State University, Northridge and the Student Recreation Center—hope to be approved for certification by the highly regarded U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).

LEED certification provides independent, third-party verification that a building project meets the highest “green” building and performance measures from design to completion.

“Each new building is an opportunity for a more sustainable design and greater energy conservation,” said campus architect Nathaniel Wilson in a statement underscored by U.S. Green Building Council research indicating that U.S. buildings account for 72 percent of electricity consumption, 39 percent of energy use, 38 percent of all carbon dioxide emissions, and 40 percent of raw materials use. Buildings generate 30 percent of waste sent to landfills.

The 1,700-seat Valley Performing Arts Center, scheduled to open in 2011, is an example of new buildings at CSUN that are “smart” and “green.” Its builders have registered with the council to pursue LEED Silver certification for the center. It is designed to exceed state energy efficiency requirements by 15 percent through the use of a reflective “cool” roof surface which deflects heat and saves on cooling costs, through a high volume, low velocity displacement ventilation system for the main hall, and through other alternate energy resources.

High volume, low velocity air conditioning system demands will be met through the center’s use of CSUN’s own hydrogen fuel cell which provides power to the chillers in the satellite plant, eliminating the need for major chillers at the building. Heat recovered from the fuel cell exhaust, along with new boilers in the satellite plant, will provide heat.

“It is one of the few performing arts centers that has met or exceeded state efficiency standards,” Wilson said.

Designers of the more than 100,000-square foot Student Recreation Center, slated to start construction this fall, plan to apply for LEED Gold certification. The structure will include solar tubes for lighting, recycled carpet and an air circulation system that directs air at ankle level instead of at the roof, which saves energy, said Bryanne Knight, project coordinator.

Knight said the center’s roof has been designed to “optimize and catch the most sunlight” for the solar tubes and to facilitate the capture and re-use of rainwater.

In addition to providing sorely needed research labs and lecture halls, CSUN’s 90,000-square foot “biotechnology” building—Chaparral Hall—conserves energy throughout its spaces, from the use of fluorescent lighting to the installation of low-flush toilets and waterless urinals. The building also uses energy from the campus’ hydrogen fuel cell satellite plant.

Student Housing’s 58,000-square foot dormitory and 6,000-square foot “common program” building will feature fluorescent lights, low-flush toilets, dual glazed windows, drought tolerant landscaping and “cool” roof surfaces.

— Shanté Morgan

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