Adaptive Reuse
Education Sciences was renovated from the Mineral Resources Research Center to usable office space. The large crane was left in place, rather than being scrapped, as a reminder to the building’s previous use. The building skylights maximize natural lighting and reduce energy costs.
Reuse of Existing Materials
The Nicholson Hall renovation was completed in 2006 to Minnesota’s B3 Sustainable Building Guidelines. The exterior brick from a 19xx’s addition was deconstructed during the renovation and used to recreate the turret on the SE corner of the building, returning the building to its original footprint.
B3 Construction
Hanson Hall was completed in 2008 and was built to Minnesota's B3 Sustainable Building Guidelines. Natural lighting was used throughout to help reduce energy consumption, create a healthy environment for building occupants and reduce operating costs to the University.
Rain Garden
Behind the Ben Pomeroy Center on the Saint Paul campus is one of several rain gardens on the U Campus. Rain gardens help to reduce impacts on the natural environment by allowing rainwater to slowly seep back in to the ground; replenishing the water table, reducing runoff in to storm drains and preventing pollutants from entering our waterways.
LEED
The new Science Teaching and Student Services building is targeting LEED Gold level of certification. LEED standards help to ensure that buildings can be designed, constructed, and operated sustainably.
B3 Renovation
In 2006, Jones Hall was restored following Minnesota's B3 Sustainable Building Guidelines. The 104 year old building kept its original stairs, railings, and ceilings, reusing existing resources. High efficiency windows and air conditioning system were installed to help reduce energy consumption and operation costs to the University.
