SIUE’s Reputation in Energy Efficient Construction Grows
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville continues to be a trailblazer in the Metro East and the state when it comes to constructing and operating cost-saving green buildings. SIUE recently received a Silver Certification for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for its Science East Building. LEED is a green building certification program used worldwide to recognize sustainable and green building practices.
“With seven LEED Certified buildings, and one building pending approval, SIUE has the second largest number of LEED buildings on a university campus in the St. Louis metro area and the second largest in Illinois,” said Vice Chancellor for Administration Rich Walker.
Walker noted some of things that helped the Science East Building obtain its silver rating:
- Being highly energy efficient
- High levels of wall and roof insulation
- Double insulated, polarized glass windows
- Having the latest technology for the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems
- Lighting motion sensors turn off lights when a room is not in use
- Solar roof panels help reduce consumption and demand from the power grid
- Exterior bracing adds seismic stability
Other silver-rated LEED construction at SIUE include:
- Engineering Building Addition
- Lukas Athletic Annex
- Multidisciplinary Dental Medicine Laboratory
- Science Building West
- One residential building in Cougar Village
The Fowler Student Design Center is expected to receive Silver rating in the near future and the Art and Design West Building holds a LEED Gold Certificate.
“Our longstanding, efficient and innovative work has earned SIUE the title of being a Living Architecture Regional Center of Excellence from Green Roofs for Healthy Cities and the Green Infrastructure Foundation,” said Walker. “We are one of only four higher education institutions in the nation to receive that designation.”
Photo: SIUE Vice Chancellor for Administration Rich Walker.
