Gilbane Building Co.

Architect:

Gensler

Client:

California State University, Northridge

Scope Of Work

The collaboration behind the sustainability center was an unusual one that involved campus leadership, the CSU Institute for Sustainability, student groups, architects and community stakeholders. The vision was to become the focal point for the university and surrounding community’s environmental programs. 39 students participated in the programming phase of building the center. This collaboration was so successful that is has become a point of inspiration for Gilbane’s work in the Higher Education market sector.

Gilbane provided construction management at-risk services for California State University’s new Associated Students Sustainability Center. The facility is home to the Institute for Sustainability and is intended to serve as an example of energy efficiency and sustainable design. The project features a seminar room, a conference room, student workspace, a lounge, a community resource center, restrooms and a 5,000 SF covered courtyard which will both house equipment for recycling and serve as the rooftop structure for a 25kw photovoltaic system with approximately 100 solar panels.

The building envelope is high performance, including glazing systems, enhanced insulation, durable and sustainable cladding, cool or green roof systems, and daylighting throughout the complex. The landscape is drought tolerant and includes a bioswale. A graywater system connected to onsite showers and lavatories is being used for irrigation; a solar thermal hot water system and vacuum composting toilets have also been incorporated into the project.

The Center has achieved LEED Platinum certification and is targeting Living Building Challenge certification; and is also seeking both Net-Zero Energy and Net-Zero Water certifications.

The collaboration behind the sustainability center was an unusual one that involved campus leadership, the CSU Institute for Sustainability, student groups, architects and community stakeholders. The vision was to become the focal point for the university and surrounding community’s environmental programs. 39 students participated in the programming phase of building the center. This collaboration was so successful that is has become a point of inspiration for Gilbane’s work in the Higher Education market sector.