Donald Bren School of Environmental Science and Management

Project Summary

University of California: Donald Bren School of Environmental Science and Management
Santa Barbara, California

Project Type:
University Laboratory, Classrooms, and Faculty Offices

Size:
84,672 Square Feet

Year Constructed / Occupied:
1999-2002 / 2002

Project Details

One of the first twelve LEED® Certified buildings, the Donald Bren School of Environmental Science and Management is an 85,000 square foot, multi-use facility on the University of California, Santa Barbara campus. The Bren School is highly sustainable, receiving the prestigious Platinum LEED® rating from the United States Green Building Council, the highest rating possible. In keeping with the school’s mission of teaching interdisciplinary approaches to environmental problem-solving, the building was designed based on energy efficiency, daylighting, shading, and extensive use of recycled content materials. Some of the more unique sustainable features include: aggressive daylighting of all classroom, labortary and office spaces; operable windows with a mechanical interlock; an ENERGY STAR high albedo roof to reflect solar heat and reduce the building’s cooling load footprint reduction; and one-hour informational tours.

Sustainable Design Highlights

Energy efficiency measures resulted in energy savings of 49 percent compared to a minimally-compliant ASHRAE 90.1-1999 building.
Building materials such as fly-ash mix used in the concrete; 80 percent recycled structural steel (mainly from cars); the steel reinforcement is 80-100% recycled content; fireproofing material made of gypsum, polystyrene, common cellulose, and recycled newsprint; and 30 percent recycled content for the steel deck.
Alternative energy resources provide 25 percent (125kW) of the building’s energy needs, and are met by grid power from landfill methane gas and roof-mounted photovaltaic panels, which supply 7 percent of the overall energy needed.
Operable windows with mechanical interlocks, which sense when windows are opened and respond by turning off the HVAC system.
Low environmental impact materials used in flooring, cabinetry and other finish materials.
High water efficiency practices, such as reclaimed water used for toilets and irrigation, and waterless urinals.