Green Buildings
Both the University and the State are making great strides in green building construction and renovation. These projects will help the campus conserve energy, reduce the use of raw materials, and save money. Over time, more members of the campus community will live, work, and learn in increasingly efficient buildings while enjoying a higher standard of indoor environmental quality.
University Commitment
In October 2007, the University adopted the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver building standard for all new construction and major renovations. The initiative was championed by Doug Duncan, the Vice President for Administrative Affairs. The LEED Silver standard will help the campus reduce energy and water consumption, reduce waste, better ensure indoor air quality, and build in a way that is more respectful to the environment.
State Commitment
Governor Martin O’Malley signed the High Performance Buildings Act into Maryland law in April 2008 and it became effective July 1, 2008. The Act requires specified buildings constructed or renovated solely with State funds, such as University buildings, to be “high performance” buildings. The High Performance Buildings initiative is a government research program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy to reduce the energy consumption of buildings while improving their quality, occupant comfort, and cost-effectiveness using energy-efficiency and renewable energy technologies, recycled and sustainable materials, and site sensitive design to minimize the burden on the environment.
Design Criteria/Facilities Standards
The Design Criteria/Facilities Standards (DCFS) are University standards and design guidelines for new construction and building renovations on the College Park campus and at Client Institutions such as the Universities at Shady Grove. The DCFS set the requirements used by the design team to meet the programmatic needs of each project and cover topics including operations and maintenance, safety, energy efficiency, and material finishes. To insure the University’s projects are designed in compliance with the University’s green building commitment and the High Performance Buildings Act, the DCFS is being revised to address environmental stewardship and LEED design criteria.
Universities at Shady Grove
The Camille Kendall Academic Center at the Universities at Shady Grove in 2007 was constructed with environmentally preferable materials such as rapidly renewable wood and recycled metal. It is the largest green higher education building in the State of Maryland and the first USM building to achieve LEED Gold certification. The University of Maryland, College Park is one of nine USM institutions to offer classes in this Rockville facility.
Knight Hall
Construction on Knight Hall, the new home for the College of Journalism, began in the summer of 2008 on former parking lot “AA” next to the Benjamin Building. Knight Hall is expected to be the first LEED-Gold building to be owned and operated by the University on the College Park campus. When completed, the building will feature numerous green design elements that could include a reflective roof, locally sourced building materials made with recycled content, ample day-lighting, and a significant reduction in water use over standard construction. The building is scheduled to open in late 2009.