News

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s engineering building addition has met green building leadership standards which has earned it a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) distinction from the U.S. Green Building Council. 

The addition, with its energy and environmentally efficient design, has received a LEED Silver certification. The U.S. Green Building Council LEED categories range from certified, silver, gold and platinum. This most recent classification brings the total number of LEED certified buildings on the SIUE campus to four.

“SIUE is very strong in leading the region with LEED and environmentally sustainable construction,” said Patrick Long, facilities architect and engineering building addition project manager. “As energy costs increase and our state dollars decrease, it’s important that we have buildings that run as efficiently as possible. 

“Also, the atmosphere inside the building was taken into consideration in making the addition environmentally friendly,” Long added. “When people have to work inside for long periods of time and the atmosphere is more conducive, people can work more efficiently. It can be healthier for them.” 

The engineering building addition project began in the fall of 2010, Long noted, when SIUE enlisted the services of Hastings+Chivetta Architects to assist with expansion goals.

“The University wanted to create an addition that would complement the existing structure, as well as integrate sustainable design initiatives to further the campus plan for all new construction to meet the rigorous standards set by the United States Green Building Council,” he added. The result was the addition of a 37,036 square-foot, four-story structure.

According to Long, several LEED principles were added to the overall building design:

• The project team included punched windows at the north façade of the building to provide daylight into classroom spaces.
• Lighting design was also enhanced by the inclusion of high efficiency fluorescents, dimmers and motion sensors to supplement the daylight available through the glazing.
• The design team took advantage of the campus’ beautiful terrain by maintaining native plant and installing a bioswale. The native species and bioswale are significant to improving air quality and storm water runoff infiltration quality.
• A green roof installed adjacent to the office spaces will not only reduce the amount of storm water runoff, but assist with prolonging the life of HVAC equipment through decreased use. The green roof will reduce the summer cooling load in the building, as well as the energy costs for operating the mechanical equipment. 

Other LEED certified buildings on the SIUE campus and their classification include:

• Art & Design West – LEED Gold
• Lukas Athletic Annex – LEED Silver
• Science Building West – LEED Silver