Cal Poly Pomona’s newest structure, the Student Services Building (SSB), has earned an accolade for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) from the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). The SSB is the first building on campus to achieve Platinum certification, which is the highest level of recognition a building can receive.
LEED is a rating system that is used to evaluate buildings in a number of categories, including water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, indoor environmental quality and others. According to a press release issued by Cynthia Peters, senior media relations specialist at CPP, the SSB received a perfect score for innovation in design and high scores for water efficiency and sustainable sites.
The $73 million building, designed by CO Architects and inspired by the San Gabriel Mountains and foothills, was developed with sustainability in mind. According to the press release, “The architects used extensive daylight and solar heat gain analysis modeling to optimize the roof geometry and minimize lighting and cooling energy loads. Its 28- to 30-foot roof overhangs shade the exterior low-emissions glass, reduce thermal loads and glare and maximize good quality light.”
“Other sustainability features include water-use reduction mechanisms, use of regional building contents, renewable-energy measures and energy-efficient devices.”
Certification.
(Lauren Bruno | The Poly Post)
CPP’s environmental sustainability web page emphasizes the school’s goals of implementing “green building strategies” and “(designing, building and operating) a campus with a minimal ecological footprint, contributing to the goal of climate neutrality.” The design elements that went into the new SSB stayed true to these values.
“The SSB is not just the architectural centerpiece of the campus, it is also a visual reminder that sustainability is one of the core values of the university,” CPP Sustainability Coordinator Monika Kamboures said. “Students can see Cal Poly Pomona’s commitment to sustainability every time they step into the building.”
“Personally, I like that the USGBC continues to incorporate changes to the certifications aimed at prioritizing the health and well-being of the building occupants,” Kamboures said.
While the SSB was the first to receive Platinum certification, CPP boasts eight total LEED certified buildings.
The Collins College of Hospitality Management expansion, Bronco Recreation and Intramural Complex and Southern California Edison Phase 4 project at Innovation Village have all received Gold LEED certification, and the College of Business of Administration complex, Phase 2 of the Residential Suites and I-Poly High School have Silver LEED certification. Parking Structure 2 off of Temple Avenue also received LEED Parksmart certification.
The parking structure is “the first parking facility in California to earn a certificate from Parksmart for sustainability and methods that promote green building practices,” according to the press release.
According to Kamboures, CPP plans to build all future structures to meet the guidelines of the California State University Sustainability Policy, which states, “The CSU shall design and build all new buildings and major renovations to meet or exceed the minimum requirements equivalent to LEED ‘Silver.’ Each campus shall strive to achieve a higher standard equivalent to LEED ‘Gold’ or ‘Platinum’ within project budget constraints.”