At UC Santa Barbara we are committed to creating superior places to study, work, and live that enhance the health and performance of occupants through sustainable design that incorporates human factors and biomimicry in new construction and renovation projects and in ongoing campus operations.
Green Building Design
UC Santa Barbara is committed to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), the most widely used green building rating system in the world. In 2002, UCSB adopted a campus policy stating that all new buildings commissioned after July 1, 2004, must meet a minimum of USGBC’s LEED Silver certification. In 2012 the LEED minimum rating on campus for new buildings from Silver to Gold for buildings.
Green Cleaning
UC Santa Barbara has had a Low Environmental Impact Cleaning Policy, with the following goals:
- Maintain optimal indoor air quality
- Improve occupant health
- Train University staff to think and act in an environmentally conscious manner
- Monitor program outcomes to determine the positive impact of green housekeeping on custodial crew and building occupants (e.g. fewer sick days)
Planning a Green Lab
Check out this video about designing a green lab for new faculty.
Bren Hall
First LEED Platinum Lab Building
Did you know Bren hall was the first LEED certified building in the University of California system and the first LEED Platinum certified laboratory facility in the country. As a pioneer in low-impact facilities, it went on to earn Platinum certification under LEED for Existing Buildings in 2009, and was recertified LEED in 2017.
LEED Platinum
San Joaquin Apartments & Portola Dinning Commons
This is the first and only LEED for Neighborhood Development project in UC system. Recycled water is used in flush fixtures in one of the towers and solar hot water generation incorporated into all residential buildings and Dining Commons.
2 Million
Square Feet
Did you know UC Santa Barbara has over 2 Million square feet of LEED Certified Buildings.