'Green' Buildings & Architecture

As part of a liberal education, all students should be involved in the design, construction, and operation of all campus buildings. Buildings should meet these general guidelines:

• LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification of all new construction & newly renovated buildings
• Install solar panels and other systems of distributed energy (e.g., wind, geothermal)
• Install more efficient lighting: Compact Flourescent Lightbulbs (CFLs) and/or Low Emitting Diodes (LEDs); motion sensors; reduced use of indoor lighting during daylight hours; and turning off lights when not in use
• Install no-flush or greywater toilets
• Improve building envelopes by installing better insulation and windows
• Design ‘green roofs’ to keep buildings cooler in hotter months and for collecting rainwater

Check out Moravian College Environmental Coalition's 'Green' Building Proposal which details more specific requests of a proposed 'green' dorm building.

Local green-building expertise such as the Lehigh Valley Green Builders Forum and former Moravian student, Sigi Koko of Down to Earth Design, Inc., are ready and willing to assist in campus renovations or new building projects.

'Stellar' Campus example:

Oregon State University