Green Buildings
The design and construction of buildings greatly impacts energy consumption and pollution including fossil carbon emissions. At UWO we are committed to green buildings by incorporating elements of energy efficiency design standards on all new construction and applicable renovation projects.
LEED Certified Construction
Several recent projects have been designed and constructed in accordance with the U.S. Green Building Council's (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards, including the Student Recreation and Wellness Center, South Campus Parking Ramp, Student Success Center, Sage Hall, and Horizon Village. Sage Hall achieved Gold in the LEED rating system in October 2012.
What is LEED? What makes for a green building? The USGBC's LEED certification system has become the standard for sustainable building practices. Learn more from the U.S. Green Building Council.
Dry Fermentation Anaerobic Biodigester
Through implementing a dry fermentation anaerobic biodigester system, UW Oshkosh is creating a better environment for the campus and local communities. The benefits of the plant are many. At its core, the plant converts renewable biomass into methane gas to make steam to produce electricity. This means that the plant helps to reduce fossil greenhouse gas emissions. Because the biomass would have gone to a landfill otherwise, it contributes to extending the life of landfills. In using wastes generated on campus, the plant also saves the campus money associated with the cost of transporting wastes and in landfill tipping fees. Learn more.
Sage Hall
As the University’s first new academic building in 40 years, Sage Hall will open its doors in fall 2011. Solar photovoltaic and hot water installations will generate 10 percent of the energy needs for this 190,000-square-foot building.
Student Recreation and Wellness Center
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SRWC opened in 2007, and was designed with numerous sustainable features. It was designed to the equivalent of a LEED Silver rating. Some of the features include:
- Generous windows deliver panoramic river views as well as natural lighting to many spaces, reducing electrical loads.
- More than half of construction waste was recycled or reused.
- 20 percent of building materials were regionally manufactured.
