Cal State to be energy efficient in its newest building

Public Record, The, May 6, 2008 by Slahor, Stephenie

It's expected that a university will lead the way in research and teaching, but California State University, San Bernardino's Palm Desert Campus (PDC) will take yet another step in leadership by showing the way to energy efficiency.

The PDC's new Health Sciences Building has been designed to use solar energy, recycled materials, sustainable or local building materials, natural light, reflective roofing, and energy efficient lighting.

The 23,273 square-foot building will open its doors to students in the fall quarter, and will contain classrooms, labs, offices, and an electronic library for the programs in nursing and allied health professions. The cost of construction is about $15 million, all of which was provided by donors.

Fred Jandt, Dean of the PDC, led a media tour of the nearly-finished building, and said the building reflects an environmentally-conscious construction.

Eric Sharp, an architect with HMC Architects of Ontario, CA, the designers of the building, explained that the building uses LEED Gold level standards (Leadership in Environmental Energy Design) and is one of fewer than 75 buildings in the nation using such standards.

Much of the building's construction is from recycled materials, or wood from sustainably-harvested trees. Special attention has been paid to assuring the quality of air within the building, and reducing airborne contaminants and pollutants.

Tubular skylights allow natural light into the building, but baffles can be adjusted automatically to lower the light level in the room, for example, during the showing of a film or on-screen presentation in a lesson. Fin-like projections on outside walls allow indirect light to enter the building. Double glazing on windows lets light in without heat build-up. Even the entrances to the building have been considered, containing "walk-off grates" so that dust and pollutants on the shoes of those using the building are left outside.

David Wilburn, project manager with Swinerton, the builder, said the building will feature lighting that is 40 percent more efficient than conventional lighting. He said it is only one example of the way the entire building project has focused on the best steps to create energy efficiency.

Tony Simpson is the Director of Facility Services for California State University, San Bernardino and he said the new building can be monitored from both the PDC and the main campus. He added that photo voltaic/solar power will save substantial amounts of money that otherwise would have been spent on electricity. A power purchase agreement will protect the campus budget from sharp rises in electricity costs, keeping increases down to just 2 percent per year.

Rounding out the building's features are the latest in safety, fire and security enhancements.