University of California-San Diego Sustainable Building Program

Type: Program

Status: Ongoing

Source File: Click here

Description:

UC San Diego is committed to a sustainable building program and "best design" practices applied to new construction projects and renovations.

Some projects are registered with the United States Green Building Council's (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program, and others are registered with the University of California's LEED-equivalency program.

All projects over $5 million, approved after July 2004, are required to target the achievement of Silver or Silver-equivalent rating — but must achieve at a minimum a Certified or Certified-equivalent rating, per Regental policy. All new buildings must also out-perform the Title 24 (state building code) energy requirements by 20%.

In addition, UCSD Facilities Design & Construction is committed to advancing the process of integrated design, specific to the exact micro-climate not only of the UCSD campus, but to the exact parcel within the campus, and tailored to the function of the building.

Integrated design:

• Results in wise use of energy and materials
• Harnesses the temperate climate, the prevailing breezes, and the sun's effect on the building
• Effectively deals with the moisture and salts in the air normal to the location close to the Pacific Ocean

See a map (PDF) of current building projects, including targeted sustainability rating and status.

Find out more about UCSD's Sustainability Building Program and Design Practices.