University of Oregon
The Student Recreation Center at the University of Oregon.
The Student Recreation Center at the University of Oregon.
The Student Recreation Center at the University of Oregon.
The Student Recreation Center at the University of Oregon.
The Student Recreation Center at the University of Oregon.

Rec center at University of Oregon earns highest LEED rating

July 27, 2016
$50 million expansion and renovation received Platinum certification for its sustainable design and construction.

The expanded and renovated Student Recreation Center at the University of Oregon in Eugene has received LEED Platinum certification for its sustainable design elements.

The $50 million project, which encompasses 110,000 square feet of new space and 40,000 square feet of renovated space, opened in January 2015. The university says the center is the largest campus recreation facility in the nation to earn a Platinum rating—the highest level of recognition from the U.S. Green Building Council.

RDG Planning & Design, architect for the project, says the facility consumes only 43 percent of the energy, and 34 percent of the potable water that comparable facilities use.

Among the facility's energy-saving and environmentally friendly features:

  • What was previously Leighton Pool now serves as a cistern that collects rain water for flushing all toilets in the center as well as all irrigation outside the facility. The university projects that In an average year, the system will collect, treat and repurpose about 400,000 gallons of water. If the area has above-average precipitation, the system has the capacity to repurpose more than 600,000 gallons of water. Over 30 years, the cistern system is projected to save the university between $192,000 and $288,000.
  • Aa radiant heat system beneath many of the floors in the center provide cost-effective and sustainable heating.
  • Active chilled beam systems are used throughout the facility for heating and cooling.
  • Windows and skylights have been designed to provide lots of daylight. Windows have automated shades that adjust themselves based on direct sunlight.
  • The facility's solar energy system has been expanded.

  •  

Sponsored Recommendations

How to design flexible learning spaces that teachers love and use

Unlock the potential of flexible learning spaces with expert guidance from school districts and educational furniture providers. Discover how to seamlessly integrate adaptive ...

Blurring the Lines in Education Design: K–12 to Higher Ed to Corporate America

Discover the seamless integration of educational and corporate design principles, shaping tomorrow's leaders from kindergarten to boardroom. Explore innovative classroom layouts...

Room to Learn: Furniture Solutions for Education

Preparing students for the future. Utilizing our experience in the education market, we offer a dynamic selection of products that pair technology with furniture to help stimulate...

Transforming Education: A Case Study in Progressive Classroom Design

Discover how Workspace Interiors and the Baldwin School District reshaped learning environments in Long Island, New York, creating pedagogically responsive spaces that foster ...