The 50 Most Impressive Environmentally Friendly University Buildings

Home/The 50 Most Impressive Environmentally Friendly University Buildings

By Marianna Chara

These 50 stunning university buildings demonstrate that function and efficiency need not come at the expense of visual impact and appeal.

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Methodology

In developing this list, we looked for structures that reflect leadership in sustainability and also have significant visual impact. Many of these projects have earned a formal "green" rating from one agency or another, and most all of them have earned other coveted design awards.

At BestMastersDegrees.com, we believe that this emphasis on the part of a university shows outstanding long-term thinking and has the potential to enrich the lives of students and the surrounding community in profound ways.

We also looked for diversity in function, which is why we've included the likes of field research stations, schools of nursing, transportation centers, student recreation centers, residence halls, science and technology centers, and more.

We'd like to congratulate the institutions whose buildings made this list, and we hope these examples can be a source of inspiration for schools considering such projects in the future.

#50. University of Pittsburgh – Chevron Annex

Pittsburgh, PA

Website

University of Pittsburgh, Chemistry Building

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This 4-story vertical addition is home to the Synthetic Chemistry Lab at the University of Pittsburgh. It was built atop the existing Ashe Auditorium Lecture Hall. Green features include more than 95% recycled construction and demolition waste, low-VOC paints and carpets, and low-flow plumbing fixtures.

Architect: R3A, Wilson Architects
Cost: $24.6M
Square Feet: 32,000
Completed: 2011
Green: LEED Gold (2013)
Awards:

  • SCUP/AIA–CAE 2012 – Excellence in Architecture for Building Additions or Adaptive Reuse, Honor Award
  • AIA Pittsburgh 2012 – Excellence in Architecture, Honor Award
  • Boston Society of Architects / BSA 2012 – Honor Award

#49. Mills College Lorry I. Lokey Graduate School of Business

Oakland, CA

Website

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This home to the School of Business conserves green space and optimizes sun exposure. Other features include rainwater harvesting and water treating and recycling.

Architect: Bohlin Cywinski Jackson
Square Feet: 28,000
Completed: 2009
Green: USGBC LEED Gold
Awards:

  • Citation of Merit for Architectural Excellence, AIA Pennsylvania (2011)
  • Notable Award, SERVE Category – International Interior Design Association, Northern California Chapter (2011)
  • Green Good Design Awards – The European Center for Architecture and The Chicago Athenaeum (2011)
  • Good Design is Good Business Awards – Architectural Record (2011)

#48. University of British Columbia – Sauder School of Business

British Columbia, Canada

Website

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This home for UBC's business school reflects an exterior design patterned after a barcode. The building taps into an existing campus steam system for heating, and it's cooled by a steam absorption chiller operating off of waste steam from the plant.

Architect: Acton Ostry Architects
Cost: $70M
Square Feet: 216,000 existing + 55,000 new
Completed: 2012
Green: 2010 Sustainable Architecture & Building Canadian Green Building Award
Awards:

  • 2011 Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia Award in Architecture
  • 2010 Canadian Interiors Best of Canada Award
  • 2010 Vancouver Regional Construction Association Award of Excellence

#47. New York University – Department of Philosophy

New York, NY

Website

NYU philosophy

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This interior renovation of a 1890 building shows a stunning use of light and surface materials. The design incorporates a new skylit stair shaft and a curvilinear auditorium with a cork floor.

Architect: Steven Holl Architects
Square Feet: 30,000
Completed: 2007
Green: Material and furnishings compliance and sourcing, low-e windows, cork tiles, limited construction/demolition waste
Awards:

  • AIA New York Educations Design Award, USA, 2008

#46. Columbia University – Northwest Corner Building

New York, NY

Website

Norwest Corner Building by Michael Moran_0

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This science and lab building was awarded LEED Gold certification on factors including energy efficient fume hoods, indoor air quality, low-flow water fixtures, and more. It is especially impressive that it's achieved this level of recognition, considering that labs typically consume large amounts of energy.

Architect: José Rafael Moneo
Cost: $179M
Square Feet: 188,000
Green: USGBC LEED Gold (2013)
Awards:

  • 2011 Engineering News-Record (ENR) NY Best Project Award in the category of Higher Education/Research

#45. Arizona State University – ISTB-4

Tempe, AZ

Website

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Among other notable features, this home to the university's School of Earth and Space Exploration, Security and Defense Systems Initiative and the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering exceeds ASHRAE standards for heating and cooling by 49% along with high-performance glass and an active lab air-quality system.

Architect: HDR Architecture Inc., Ehrlich Architects
Cost: $110M
Square Feet: 285,000
Completed: 2012
Green: USGBC LEED Gold
Awards:

  • 2013 Best Education Project – Arizona Real Estate magazine, RED Awards
  • 2012 Award of Merit, Higher Education/Research Category – ENR Southwest, Best Projects contest
  • 2012 Excellence in Structural Engineering, New Buildings Over $10 Million – Structural Engineers Association of Arizona

#44. The New School – University Center

New York, NY

Website

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The academic area in this 16-story building includes interdisciplinary classrooms, a two-story library, and a faculty resource center. Sustainable features include state-of-the-art lighting and window placement, a rain-catching roof, and sustainably sourced materials.

Architect: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill
Cost: $372M
Square Feet: 375,000
Completed: 2012
Green: USGBC LEED Gold
Awards:

  • Green Good Design Award – Chicago Athenaeum (2011)

#43. Boston University – Student Services Center

Boston, MA

Website

BU Marciano Center, Bruner Cott, arch.

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Featuring a red brick facade, this LEED Gold certified building was designed to blend with the architecture of the surrounding neighborhoods. It features a sustainable cooling system, composting services, and a sustainable cooling system.

Architect: Bruner/Cott
Cost: $48M
Square Feet: 122,000
Completed: 2012
Green: USGBC LEED Gold
Awards:

  • Associated General Contractors of Massachusetts, Build New England Honor Award (2013)
  • American School & University, Bronze Award, Educational Interiors (2013)
  • Illuminating Engineering Society, Regional Award for Excellence in Lighting Design (2013)
  • Environmental Design & Construction Magazine, Excellence in Design Awards (2013)
  • Learning by Design – Grand Prize, New Construction (2013)

#42. Brandeis University – Mandel Center for the Humanities

Waltham, MA

Website

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This building, featuring a stunning glass and gray slate facade, is intended to reinvigorate study of the humanities. It includes a 90-seat lecture hall, classrooms and seminar rooms, and more.

Architect: KMW Architecture
Cost: $20M
Square Feet: 36,600
Completed: 2010
Green: Targets USGBC LEED Gold Standards

#41. SUNY Oswego – Rice Creek Field Station

Oswego, NY

Website

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This renovation and expansion of a 1966 building encompasses an astronomy observatory and office and support space. Design emphasis was on maximizing daylight and views.

Architect: Cannon Design
Square Feet: 7,600
Completed: 2013
Green: Designed to achieve LEED Gold Certification
Awards:

  • Merit Award – AIA Western New York

#40. Columbia University – Gary C. Comer Geochemistry Building

New York, NY

Website

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The Comer Building is part of the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory and houses classrooms and labs. Its design features high efficiency air conditioning, daylight harvesting, and high efficiency light fixtures.

Architect: Payette
Cost: $32M
Square Feet: 70,000
Completed: 2008
Green: USGBC LEED Silver
Awards:

  • Boston Society of Architects, Honor Award for Design Excellence (2010)
  • IDID Excellence in Sustainable Design, Merit Award (2010)
  • R&D Magazine, Lab of the Year (2009)
  • SCUP/AIA-CAE, Excellence in Arch. for a New Bldg., Merit Award (2009)
  • Boston Society of Architects, AIA/NY & EPA, Sustainable Design Award (2009)
  • Boston Society of Architects, Higher Education Honor Award (2009)
  • AIA Westchester/Mid-Hudson NY, High Honor/First Honor Award (2008)

#39. Barnard College – Diana Center

New York, NY

Website

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The design for this 7-story LEED Gold-certified arts building incorporates a glass facade and a green roof. It features extensive use of low-E glass panels, creative insulation solutions, and manually operable windows for natural ventilation in fair weather.

Architect: Weiss/Manfredi
Square Feet: 98,000
Completed: 2010
Green: USGBC LEED Gold
Awards:

  • AIA Institute Honor Award for Architecture (2011)
  • Progressive Architecture Award

#38. Westchester Community College – Gateway Center

New Rochelle, NY

Website

Westchester Community College, Gateway Center

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This LEED Gold certified project features energy and water efficient design. The building incorporates classrooms, faculty offices, and the international student office.

Architect: Ennead Architects
Square Feet: 70,000
Completed: 2010
Green: USGBC LEED Gold
Awards:

  • American Architecture Award, The Chicago Anthenaeum (2012)
  • High Honor Award, AIA Westcehster/Hudson Valley (2011)
  • Merit Award, AIA/New York Chapter (2011)
  • Award of Excellence, Society of American Registered Architects/New York Council (2011)
  • National Award, American Institute of Steel Construction (2011) IDEAS2 Award
  • Metalmag Architectural Award (2011)
  • Society of American Registered Architects, National Design Award (2011)
  • Higher Education/Research Project of the Year, New York Construction Best of 2010

#37. California State University Chico – Wildcat Recreation Center

Chico, CA

Website

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This LEED Gold certified project features waterless urinals, elliptical exercise machines that generate power, and a solar powered pool heater that's said to save up to $90,000 per year in energy costs.

Architect: Sasaki
Cost: $43M
Square Feet: 111,000
Completed: 2009
Green: USGBC LEED Gold
Awards:

  • Outstanding Sports Facilities Award, National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association
  • Innovative Architecture & Design Award, Recreation Management
  • Honorable Mention for "High Res Impact," 3 Form Best Installation Contest
  • Award of Merit: Higher Education/Research Category, ENR California Construction Best of 2010 Award, The McGraw-Hill Construction Magazine

#36. University of California, Davis – Student Health and Wellness Center

Davis, CA

Website

ucdavis-wellness-center-01-537x312

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Home to medical offices, laboratories, and a physical therapy rehabilitation facility, this LEED Gold building features a green roof designed to absorb harmful UV rays.

Architect: WRNS Studio
Cost: $34M
Square Feet: 75,000
Green: USGBC LEED Gold
Awards:

  • ENR California Award of Merit: Higher Education (2010)

#35. University of Pennsylvania – Wharton School – San Francisco

San Francisco, CA

Website

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Green aspects of this Wharton campus in the Hills Bros. Building on the San Francisco waterfront include renewable and recycled materials, low-flow water fixtures, and skylights and arched windows for natural lighting.

Architect: Gensler
Square Feet: 35,000
Green: USGBC LEED Gold

#34. University of Queensland – Global Change Institute

St. Lucia, Australia

Website

University-of-Queensland-Global-Change-Institute-by-HASSELL02

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This building is designed to operate as a zero energy and carbon neutral space, incorporating its own solar energy source and natural ventilation. It also uses Geopolymer concrete which is produced with lower greenhouse gas emissions that conventional concrete.

Architect: HASSELL
Cost: $32M
Square Feet: 42,000
Completed: 2013
Awards:

  • 2013 BPN Sustainability Awards – Winner – Best of the Best (product award for Suspended Geopolymer Concrete Floor Panels) – awarded to Bligh Tanner, Wagners and HASSELL
  • 2013 BPN Sustainability Awards – Winner – Innovation of the Year (product award for Suspended Geopolymer Concrete Floor Panels) – awarded to Bligh Tanner, Wagners and HASSEL

#33. Western Michigan University – Sangren Hall

Kalamazoo, MI

Sangren-Hall-SHW-Group-9

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This facility incorporates 50 classrooms totaling 2,435 seats, two auditoriums, a library and research center, and clinical space for the Center for Counseling and Psychological Services.

Architect: SHW Group
Cost: $60M
Square Feet: 230,000
Completed: 2012
Green: Targeting USGBC LEED Gold certification
Awards:

  • Honor Award – Detroit chapter of the American Institute of Architecture (2013)

#32. University of Pittsburgh – Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation

Pittsburgh, PA

Website

Pitt_Mascaro_007_966x668

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This LEED Gold certified building was designed to facilitate collaboration among such academic disciplines as energy, bioengineering, nanosystems, computational modeling, and advanced materials.

Architect: EDGE Studio, Nbbj
Square Feet: 22,000
Completed: 2010
Green: USGBC LEED Gold
Awards:

  • Educational Facility Design Award – Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute (CRSI) (2012)
  • AIA Columbus, Honor Award
  • AIA Pittsburgh, Design Pittsburgh Award

#31. Arizona State University – College of Nursing

Phoenix, AZ

Website

8.19.10-Nursing

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This nursing building is clad in prefabricated copper panels. It also incorporates low-flow fixtures and solar hot water heating.

Architect: SmithGroup
Square Feet: 34,000
Completed: 2011
Green: USGBC LEED Gold
Awards:

  • Citation Award – American Institute of Architects (AIA), Arizona Chapter
  • North American Copper in Architecture Award (NACIA) — New Construction – Copper Development Assoc./Canadian Copper & Brass Development Assoc.
  • Award of Merit — Buildings & Structures: Institutional, Environmental Excellence Awards – Valley Forward Association
  • Citation Award — APS Energy Award – American Institute of Architects (AIA), Arizona Chapter
  • Honor Award – American Institute of Architects (AIA), Western Mountain Region
  • Best Educational Project, RED Awards (Arizona Real Estate Development Awards) – AZRE | Arizona Commercial Real Estate
  • Design Excellence — Education, PRIDE Awards
  • International Interior Design Association (IIDA), Southwest Chapter
  • First Place — Best Overall, Design Awards – Metal Architecture
  • Honorable Mention — Wall Panel, Architectural Awards – MetalMag

#30. Rice University – McMurtry & Duncan Colleges

Houston, TX

Website

1320697193-rice-duncancommonsint-s-528x352

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In achieving LEED Gold certification, this 7-building residential complex exceeds Rice's mandate that all new building achieve minimum LEED Silver certification. It incorporates such innovative features as prefabricated bathroom pods.

Architect: Hopkins Architects with Hanbury Evand Wright Viattas + Company
Square Feet: 275,800
Completed: 2009
Green: USGBC LEED Gold
Awards:

  • AIA Housing Award (2012)

#29. Central Oregon Community College – Science Center

Bend, OR

Website

01-COCC-Science-Center

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This building incorporates widespread use of natural materials along with high-performance window glazing to support expansive mountain views while maintaining energy efficiency.

Architect: Yost Grube Hall
Square Feet: 45,000
Completed: 2012
Green: Earth Advantage Gold
Awards:

  • Honor Award, Education Category, IIDA Portland Chapter
  • Craftsmanship Award, AIA Portland Chapter
  • National Institutional Winner, WoodWorks

#28. Leicester College – Abbey Park Campus

Leicester, UK

Website

leicester_college_abbey_park_building_pp190109_2

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This building incorporates thermal massing and a roof-installed wind turbine to generate its own power. The 5-story building incorporates dance and drama performance rooms along with classrooms and labs for math, science, and humanities.

Architect: Bond Bryan Architects
Cost: $42M
Square Feet: 113,000
Completed: 2009
Green: Exceeds local sustainable building regulations

#27. Rice University – BioScience Research Collaborative

Houston, TX

Website

brc-photo

This health and medical research facility incorporates air quality monitoring and a vegetative green roof. 75% of construction waste was recycled. Ground water from under the parking garage irrigates a nearby baseball field.

Architect: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill and FKP Architects
Square Feet: 480,000
Completed: 2009
Green: USGBC LEED Gold
Awards:

  • Texas Society of Architects Design Award (2012)

#26. Clarkson University – Student Center

Potsdam, NY

Website

Clarkson_Interior_main10

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This project used 20% recycled glass and building blocks invented by a member of the Clarkson faculty.

Architect: Perkins + Will
Square Feet: 60,000
Completed: 2010
Green: USGBC LEED Silver
Awards:

  • Association of College Unions International (ACUI) Facility Design Award of Excellence

#25. University of Washington – Transportation Center

Seattle, WA

Website

UWtransportation08

This rare LEED Platinum certified building includes bicycle storage and locker rooms with showers to encourage bicycle commuting, day lighting and smart light dimming, along with locally sourced building materials.

Architect: Rolluda Architects
Square Feet: 12,000
Completed: 2010
Green: USGBC LEED Platinum

#24. Karolinska Institutet – Future Learning Environment

Solna, Sweden

Website

Karolinska-Tengbom-01

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This project aims to transform the way an indoor space influences learning by combining collaborative and private study areas under the theme of "Home Away from Home." It features a "living wall" – a lush biowall that helps with air quality.

Architect: Tengbom (Interiors)
Square Feet: 21,500
Completed: 2013
Green: Daylighting, indoor biowall, leverages previously underused space

#23. New Mexico Highlands University – Student Center

Las Vegas, NM

Website

new-mexico

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This student center features a green roof and also uses a motorized sun tracking louver system to both shade the interior and maximize interior daylight.

Architect: Diamond Schmitt Architects
Square Feet: 70,000
Completed: 2013
Green: Targeting USGBC LEED Silver

#22. University of Amsterdam / VU University Amsterdam – Liberal Arts and Sciences College

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Website

cd53e6e4564a4b8aa9e61a4643c51843

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This building near Amsterdam's city center accommodates 900 students. It utilizes thermal energy storage and concrete core activation to achieve sustainability. There is also a sedum roof cover providing insulation and water storage.

Architect: Mecanoo
Square Feet: 62,000
Completed: 2012
Green: Greencalc + score of 200
Awards:

  • Amsterdam Architecture Prize 2013 (Golden A.A.P.)

#21. Cornell University – Human Ecology Building

Ithaca, NY

Website

cornell

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In this LEED Platinum project, 91% of the wood used was certified as sustainable harvested by the Forest Stewardship Council. It features preferred parking for low emissions vehicles and facilities to encourage commuter biking.

Architect: Gruzen Samton • IBI Group
Square Feet: 89,000
Completed: 2012
Green: USGBC LEED Platinum
Awards:

  • College Planning & Management Grand Prize – Outstanding Design (2013)

#20. Salzburg University of Applied Sciences – Kuchl Campus

Kuchl, Austria

Website

salzburg

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This all-timber building uses natural daylighting and a high-performance envelope to conserve energy. It uses less than 15 kWh/m ² in heating and cooling each year.

Architect: Dietrich | Untertrifaller Architekten
Square Feet: 108,000
Completed: 2009
Green: Passive House Standard

#19. University of Scranton – Loyola Science Center

Scranton, PA

Website

loyola

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This LEED Silver building was designed to accommodate departments of biology, chemistry, computer sciences, mathematics, and physics.

Architect: EYP Architecture & Engineering
Cost: $78M
Square Feet: 166,000 (new construction)
Completed: 2012
Green: USGBC LEED Silver

#18. Carnegie Mellon University – Gates and Hillman Centers

Pittsburgh, PA

carnegie-mellon

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This LEED Gold home of the Gates Center of Computer Science accommodates classrooms, offices, an auditorium, and cafe supporting 120 faculty, 350 graduate students, and 100 researchers. It features extensive daylighting and a green rood with heat exchange system and rainwater collection.

Architect: Mack Scogin Merrill Elam Architects
Square Feet: 217,000
Completed: 2009
Green: USGBC LEED Gold
Awards:

  • American Institute of Architects (AIA) Honor Award for Architecture (2012)

#17. University of California, Irvine – Medical Education Building

Irvine, CA

Website

irvine

Another rare LEED Platinum certified building, this building is home to instructional spaces for surgery, emergency medicine and obstetrics, research labs, telemedicine, facilities, and administrative offices.

Architect: Mithun
Cost: $45M
Square Feet: 65,000
Completed: 2009
Green: USGBC LEED Platinum
Awards:

  • Overall Sustainable Design Award – Universities of California Energy Efficiency Partnership

#16. Yale University – Kroon Hall

New Haven, CT

Website

yale

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The super-green Kroon Hall is home to Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies. It features rooftop photovoltaic panel providing 25% of the building's electricity. Half of the red oak paneling came from a forest in northern Connecticut that's managed by the school itself.

Architect: Hopkins Architects with Centerbrook Architects and Planners
Cost: $33.5M
Square Feet: 56,467
Completed: 2009
Green: USGBC LEED Platinum
Awards:

  • Excellence in Design Award, Environmental Design + Construction Magazine
  • Building of the Year, Architects' Journal 100 Awards
  • International Design Award, Royal Institute of British Architects
  • Silver Award, American Council of Engineering Companies of Massachusetts Excellence Awards, Connecticut
  • More awards are listed here.

#15. Morgan State University – CBEIS

Baltimore, MD

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This 126,800 square foot LEED Gold building is home to The Center for the Built Environment and Infrastructure Studies. It incorporates extensive daylighting strategies as well as multiple green roof systems and rooftop photovoltaic panels.

Architect: The Freelon Group Architects
Cost: $54M
Square Feet: 124,800
Completed: 2012
Green: USGBC LEED Gold
Awards:

  • AIA MD Public Building of the Year (2013)
  • AIA North Carolina Merit Award (2012)
  • AIA Baltimore Design Award, Sustainable Design (2012)

#14. Roosevelt University – Academic Center

Chicago, IL

Website

roosevelt

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This 32-story "Vertical Campus" connects student services, student union, academic, and student residential environments. Sustainable features include efficient heating and cooling systems, low-flow water systems, rooftop gardens, natural lighting, and more.

Architect: VOA Associates
Square Feet: 420,000
Completed: 2012
Green: USGBC LEED Gold
Awards:

  • AIA Chicago Designight SustainABILITY Honor Award
  • Urban Land Institute – Global Award for Excellence (2013)

#13. Bastyr University – Student Village

Kenmore, WA

Website

bastyr

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The 11-building project houses more than 130 students and earned the coveted LEED Platinum certification. It's estimated that the complex saves about 34% on energy costs versus a similar non-green design.

Architect: CollinsWoerman
Cost: $12M
Square Feet: 250,000
Completed: 2010
Green: USGBC Platinum
Awards:

  • Outstanding Multifamily Project – USGBC (2010)
  • Northwest EcoBuilding Guild's Green Home Tour (2011)

#12. University of Arizona – Campus Recreation

Tucson, AZ

Website

arizona

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This multiple award-winning Sasaki designed recreation center earned LEED Platinum status, the highest rating available. Inside its striking exterior are typical gym amenities along with facilities for sand volleyball and bouldering.

Architect: Sasaki
Cost: $22.7M
Square Feet: 54,000
Completed: 2010
Green: USGBC LEED Platinum
Awards:

  • Excellence in Structural Engineerings Award, State of Arizona-Structural Engineering Association
  • IDEAS Award, National Certificate of Recognition-American Institute of Steel Construction
  • Merit Award – Orange County Chapter-American Institute of Architects

#11. Clemson University – Lee Hall

Clemson, SC

Website

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This home to the college of architecture, arts, and humanities offers dramatic views of the surrounding landscape. It's the 11th Clemson project to receive LEED certification.

Architect: Thomas Phifer and Partners
Square Feet: 55,000
Completed: 2012
Green: USGBC LEED Gold
Awards:

  • AIA Honor Award

#10. Oberlin College – Bertram and Judith Kohl Building

Oberlin, OH

Website

oberlin

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Home to the jazz studies department, this LEED Gold building features geothermal heating and cooling and a planted roof garden.

Architect: Westlake Reed Leskosky
Square Feet: 37,000
Completed: 2010
Green: USGBC LEED Gold
Awards:

  • AIA Western Mountain Region Honor Award
  • AIA Ohio Design Awards
  • AIA Cleveland Design Awards

#9. University of North Florida – Biological Sciences Building

Jacksonville, FL

Website

north-florida

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The Biological Sciences Building incorporates an animal care facility, a 20' x 80' green house, and labs and lecture halls. It achieved LEED Gold certification.

Architect: Perkins + Will / Harvard Jolly Architecture
Cost: $40.5M
Square Feet: 116,500
Completed: 2011
Green: USGBC LEED Gold

#8. Ravensbourne College of Design and Communication

London, UK

Website

ravensbourne

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This eco-friendly building incorporates an enlarged atrium for improved air flow. Its striking exterior features 28,000 colorful anodized aluminum tiles along with two rows of windows on each floor for improved views.

Architect: Foreign Office Architectrs
Square Feet: 183,000
Completed: 2010
Awards:

  • Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Award

#7. University of Nottingham – Centre for Sustainable Energy Technologies

Ningbo, China

Website

MCA Ningbo 0105

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The design incorporates a large rooftop opening to improve light and air flow to the indoors, and geothermal underfloor heating is also utilized. Fittingly, the function of the building itself is to provide a home for research into sustainable energy technology.

Architect: MCA Architects
Square Feet: 14,000
Completed: 2008
Green: MIPIM Green Building Award (2009)

#6. Arizona State University – Biodesign Building B

Phoenix, AZ

Website

asu

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Completed in 2006, the first LEED Platinum building in Arizona features reduced water use, recycled and regionally available materials, maximized indoor air quality, and solar power generation.

Architect: Gould Evans Associates and Lord, Aeck & Sargent
Cost: $78.5M
Square Feet: 175,000
Completed: 2006
Green: USGBC LEED Platinum
Awards:

  • Aon Build America Award (2007)

#5. American University of Beirut – Charles Hostler Student Center

Beirut, Lebanon

Website

hostler

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Incorporating sports facilities and green fields, this VJAA designed project defies convention by being northward facing to optimize views and sea breezes. It also makes use of locally available building materials for posts and beams, flooring, and walls.

Architect: VJAA; Samir Khairallah & Partners (associate)
Cost: $30M
Square Feet: 204,000
Completed: 2008
Green: COTE Top Ten Green Projects (2009)
Awards:

  • American Institute of Architects (AIA) Institute Honor Awards for Architecture (2009)

#4. La Trobe University – Institute for Molecular Science

Bundoora, Australia

Website

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Characterized by a distinct honeycomb facade, this Lyons-designed building is home to La Trobe University's Institute for Molecular Science. It features extensive natural lighting and open collaborative areas for students and researchers.

Architect: Lyons Architects
Cost: $97M
Green: 5-star rating from Green Building Council of Australia using Education Tool Version 1

#3. Nanyang Technical University – School of Art, Design and Media

Singapore

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A swirling green roof tops off the 5-story building that's home to the School of Art, Design and Media. The high-performance building envelope reduces energy consumption and enhances natural views.

Architect: CPG Consultants
Cost: $36M
Square Feet: 215,000
Completed: 2009
Green: Green Mark Platinum Award – Building and Construction Authority (BCA)
Awards:

  • USA School Construction News (DesignShare) Awards 2007 (Honour)

#2. King Abdullah University of Science and Technology

Thuwal, Saudi Arabia

Website

abdullah

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Architect: HOK
Square Feet: 27 Buildings, 5.5 Million Square feet
Completed:
Green: LEED Platinum
Awards:
  • AIA/ALA – Library Building Award
  • AIA Chicago – Design Excellence Awards – SustainABILITY Leadership Award – Citation of Merit
  • AIA Committee on the Environment – Top 10 Green Projects
  • More awards listed here.

#1. EWHA Womans University

Seoul, South Korea

Website

ewha

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This stunning project is simultaneously building, landscape, and sculpture. Its large glass curtain wall design permits high levels of daylight and natural ventilation among its six underground stories.

Architect: Dominique Perrault Architecture
Square Feet: 750,000
Completed: 2008
Green: Good Green Design, Environment/Landscape Architecture Award (2009)
Awards:

  • Afex Prize (2010)
  • Seoul Metropolitan Architecture Award (2008), First Prize

Sources

http://inhabitat.com
http://www.sasaki.com
http://www.nbbj.com
http://www.aia.org
http://ygh.com
http://www.perkinswill.com
http://rolludaarchitects.com
http://www.freelon.com
http://www.mchughconstruction.com
http://www.sundt.com
http://wrldesign.com
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