Webster University’s East Academic Building Designed to Achieve Maximum Environment Sustainability

By Joel ScanlonMar 30 2012

The East Academic Building at Webster University was designed in conformance with the standards required for LEED silver certification. According to the Vice President and CFO Greg Gunderson all new universities should be designed according to the specifications of LEED standards. He also added that the universities are required to employ only designers who have been accredited by LEED.

In conformance with these requirements during the construction of the East Academic Building construction wastage were donated back charities or to the University, landfill waste was avoided, sensors for occupancy, cooling and heating were used, low VOC paints and adhesives were used. Other measures included using recycled content, procurement of material according to criteria laid down by LEED and encouraging local vendors and sustainable resources that have been certified. The building contains two rain gardens to prevent rainwater from flowing away on surfaces such as walkways, driveways and roofs. Such gardens absorb water by letting storm water soak into the ground. Rain gardens can prevent pollution from reaching streams and creeks by 30%.

The building also has two green roofs and uses glasses with low emission which help in reducing the generation of heat. This in turn reduces cooling loads and improves energy efficiency. The latest construction techniques used for the building result in annual energy savings of approximately $30,000. The design for the East Academic Building was done by SWT Design.