Kaiser Borsari Hall will draw 100% of its electricity from a rooftop solar panel array. Photo courtesy Perkins&Will

Mass timber a big part of Western Washington University’s net-zero ambitions

Western Washington University, in Bellingham, Wash., 90 miles from Seattle, is in the process of expanding its ABET-accredited programs for electrical engineering, computer engineering and science, and energy science. As part of that process, the university is building Kaiser Borsari Hall, the 54,000-sf new home for those academic disciplines that will include teaching labs, research labs, classrooms, collaborative spaces, and administrative offices.

Products and Materials

Top building products for May 2024

BD+C Editors break down May's top 15 building products, from Durat and CaraGreen's Durat Plus to Zurn Siphonic Roof Drains.

University Buildings

Washington University School of Medicine opens one of the world’s largest neuroscience research buildings

In St. Louis’ Cortex Innovation District, Washington University School of Medicine recently opened its new Jeffrey T. Fort Neuroscience Research Building. Designed by CannonDesign and Perkins&Will, the 11-story, 609,000-sf facility is one of the largest neuroscience buildings in the world.

K-12 Schools

Inclusive design strategies to transform learning spaces

Students with disabilities and those experiencing mental health and behavioral conditions represent a group of the most vulnerable students at risk for failing to connect educationally and socially. Educators and school districts are struggling to accommodate all of these nuanced and, at times, overlapping conditions.

Education Facilities

Nov 18, 2013

ASSA ABLOY, CertainTeed team up to tackle classroom acoustics

The new alliance has uncovered easily accessible solutions to address these acoustical challenges and reduce the sound reverberation that further complicates noise issues.

The Bridge Building on the Cumberland River in Nashville was recently transforme

Nov 15, 2013

Greenbuild 2013 Report - BD+C Exclusive

The BD+C editorial team brings you this special report on the latest green building trends across nine key market sectors.

The 135,000-sf, LEED Gold-certified Weitz Center for Creativity at Minnesotas C

Nov 15, 2013

Halls of ivy keep getting greener and greener

Academic institutions have been testing the limits of energy-conserving technologies, devising new ways to pay for sustainability extras, and extending sustainability to the whole campus.

Nov 13, 2013

Installed capacity of geothermal heat pumps to grow by 150% by 2020, says study

The worldwide installed capacity of GHP systems will reach 127.4 gigawatts-thermal over the next seven years, growth of nearly 150%, according to a recent report from Navigant Research.

The 8,500-sf Jackson Sustainable Winery Building at the University of California

Nov 8, 2013

S+T buildings embrace 'no excuses' approach to green labs

Some science-design experts once believed high levels of sustainability would be possible only for low-intensity labs in temperate zones. But recent projects prove otherwise.

Nov 8, 2013

Walkable solar pavement debuts at George Washington University

George Washington University worked with supplier Onyx Solar to design and install 100 sf of walkable solar pavement at its Virginia Science and Technology Campus in Ashburn, Va.

GWWO | Nov 7, 2013

Fitness center design: What do higher-ed students want?

Campus fitness centers are taking their place alongside student centers, science centers, and libraries as hallmark components of a student-life experience. Here are some tips for identifying the ideal design features for your next higher-ed fitness center project.

The Pflugerville (Texas) Elementary School is among a number of net-zero-ready s

Nov 5, 2013

Net-zero movement gaining traction in U.S. schools market

As more net-zero energy schools come online, school officials are asking: Is NZE a more logical approach for school districts than holistic green buildings?

All photos: Prakash Patel, courtesy SmithGroupJJR

Nov 5, 2013

Oakland University’s Human Health Building first LEED Platinum university building in Michigan [slideshow]

Built on the former site of a parking lot and an untended natural wetland, the 160,260-sf, five-story, terra cotta-clad building features some of the industry’s most innovative, energy-efficient building systems and advanced sustainable design features.

Originally designed as faculty housing, the Usonian house will be part of the Sh

Oct 31, 2013

74 years later, Frank Lloyd Wright structure built at Florida Southern College

The Lakeland, Fla., college adds to its collection of FLW buildings with the completion of the Usonian house, designed by the famed architect in 1939, but never built—until now.