Go Green
Green Building
Towson University’s campus is home to 47 buildings and more than 4 million square feet of building space that houses the living, working and learning of more than 25,000 individuals.
The university recognizes the impact campus buildings have on energy use and has committed to reducing it where possible. In August 2007, President Caret announced his intention to pursue LEED certification for all new campus buildings, and the West Village Commons building and phase one of the College of Liberal Arts Building are being constructed with the goal of LEED silver certification.
Though LEED certification is new to the university, green design, construction and operations have long been present on campus. A few examples of the campus's green approach toward design, construction, and operation in new and renovated buildings are listed below.
- The "smart growth" strategy within the campus master plan aims to preserve and recreate natural, green areas of campus. While implementing the plan, the university plans to convert over 20 acres of paved campus area to open green space, helping to offset the campus's carbon footprint.
- Phase one of the College of Liberal Arts building will contain a green roof, with plant material covering more than 50% of the roof area.
- The Administration Building renovation reused the entire exterior shell and structural system of the existing building as well as 75% of the building's interior walls. This greatly reduced the amount of waste created by the renovation.
- The Administration Building renovation replaced the building's single pane windows with high-performance, insulated windows that greatly improve its energy efficiency.
- The West Village Commons building will feature low-flow toilets and water efficient landscaping to reduce the building's water use.
- The 7800 building renovations utilized high performance, back-ventilated terra cotta exterior walls. This rain screen wall system provides increased insulation and reduces air infiltration into the building, eliminating mold and moisture and improving indoor air quality.
- Renovations in the 7800 building also included the placement of linoleum (a green material) on public corridors and circulation areas, and maintained the building’s day lighting for internal office areas.
- The 7800 building renovation project restored the Glen Stream to provide natural filtration of storm water runoff. The restoration stabilized erosion of the stream.
- The new Child Care Center was built with passive solar heating and summer shading, making extensive use of day lighting throughout the building while reducing the energy need related to heating and cooling.
- The Child Care Center construction used a radiant floor heating system for energy efficient heating and improved indoor air quality.
- The areas surrounding the Child Care Center were constructed using the native landscaping to require minimal artificial irrigation.
- The College of Liberal Arts (CLA) building, which is currently under construction,utilizes recycled materials from the Lida Lee Tall demolition. Nearly 93% of the Lida Lee Tall building was recycled, with much of it being reused on site.
- The CLA building will contain a high-performance HVAC system with automated central controls, as well as recycling areas, bike racks and shower and locker facilities to promote students and faculty members walking and biking to work.
- The CLA building, like the 7800 building, will be powered and fueled by the campus’s central utility plant, enabling more efficient use of electric, steam and chilled water.
Additional information about the university’s green building practices is available in the Towerlight, eTU, and the Architecture, Engineering and Construction web page.
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