by Jbs010509 h3 — January 6, 2010—The Business Instructional Facility at the University of Illinois has earned the highest honor for sustainable, environmentally friendly construction and design from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).
The year-old building is reportedly the first business facility at a public university anywhere in the world to earn platinum certification through the USGBC’s LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, building sustainability rating system. It joins fewer than 300 LEED Platinum-certified buildings worldwide and is reportedly among a dozen platinum-certified projects at any university.
The $60 million-plus facility, which opened in August 2008, was designed with energy-saving features that include solar panels to help power the building; roof plantings that provide insulation and reduce water runoff; and a unique, energy-efficient heating and cooling system. A towering atrium maximizes natural light.
Combined, the measures could trim energy use by nearly 50 percent, officials estimate, cutting utility costs by up to $300,000 a year compared with traditional classroom buildings on the Urbana-Champaign campus.
The four-story, 160,000-square-foot facility was designed by Cesar Pelli, a U. of I. graduate who was named one of the nation’s 10 most influential architects by the American Institute of Architects. It offers 18 high-tech classrooms, counseling and career services, a 300-seat auditorium, and a laboratory that simulates real-time market trading.
