Facility Design, Construction, and Management

Washington State University campuses promote sustainability through innovative design and engineering principles for functionality, safety, and energy efficiency without losing respect for campus culture and heritage. A member of the U.S. Green Building council (USGBC), WSU strives to follow the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating system in building projects on all campuses. The LEED program is used to help building owners and operators be environmentally responsible and use resources efficiently.

Facility design, Construction and Management at WSU

WSU Facilities Services Capital Planning and Development has completed construction on 14 LEED-Certified buildings with several more currently being designed or currently under construction.  Several innovative “green” strategies have been or are incorporated into these new building including geothermal heating and cooling, natural day lighting, sun shading devices to minimize heat load, site restoration with natural habitat and vegetation, water efficient landscaping, stormwater collection and reuse for irrigation, high reflective roof to reduce heat island effect, reduction of light pollution, educational signage system, water-use reduction in the building, construction waste management, use of regional materials, recycled materials and certified wood where possible.

Why does this Matter?

The average person spends about 90 percent of their life indoors, and 40 percent of their life at work.  With that much time being spent indoors it is important to build efficient facilities to minimize environment impact from energy and water consumption used to keep these facilities in optimum condition.  New technological advances have allowed facilities to be designed to meet the specific needs of the occupants without sacrificing these efficiencies.

What can I do?

Many amenities have been built into the newly built facilities.  Individuals can utilize these items and reduce WSU’s and their own environmental footprint.

  • Ride your bike or walk to work and use the locker rooms to change.
  • Complete work during daylight hours to minimize the need to use lights
  • Use the water bottle refilling stations