Green NAU
Building Green at NAU
NAU is committed to building green and has honored that commitment throughout the past decade. In 2004, President John Haeger stated in Inside NAU that "NAU already has an established reputation for its academic programs and research that center on issues related to the environment, particularly related to the Colorado Plateau where we live. It's only natural for the campus to reflect our commitment to an environmentally sensitive learning environment for our students."
In 2007, NAU's Strategic Plan outlined "Sustainability and Stewardship of Place" as one of the university's seven goals. In that same year, President Haeger signed the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment as a charter member. President Haeger recently explained, "Stewardship of place is not a new concept for NAU... Creating a sustainable campus has been a part of our strategic plan for the last three years." Likewise, Rich Bowen, Associate Vice President for Economic Development reiterates, "Building green is good public policy, and high-performance environmentally responsible buildings have a greater return on investment than traditional buildings."
Current LEED Certified buildings on the Flagstaff Mountain campus include the Applied Research and Development Building, the W.A. Franke College of Business, the Engineering Building, the Extended Campuses expansion, and the Green Recreation Fields. These buildings, in addition to the current construction happening on campus, can be read about in further depth below.
For a quick look at our current green buildings and projects, please look at "Building Green," an informational document about how NAU has worked to build a culture of sustainability by adhering to LEED standards in construction projects.
Applied Research and Development (ARD) Building
Certified: LEED Platinum
The Applied Research and Development Building showcases the latest innovations in high-performance construction technology, energy efficient design, and use of renewable energy. It earned 60 points out of a possible 69 to meet the highest rating—Platinum—from the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design system. It is the greenest building in Arizona and has the third highest LEED point total in the world.
Energy sources for the 59,821-square-foot ARD building on the university's central campus include a photovoltaic solar power system donated by Arizona Public Service that provides at least 20 percent of its electricity. Automatic shade controls, venting windows and an "enthalpy wheel" regulate the building's temperature. The design and automated systems result in an overall reduction of energy consumed by 60 percent compared to traditional buildings.
Read more about the ARD Building...
New! ARD Building Virtual Tour (Flash plug-in required)
Health and Learning Center
Certified: LEED Gold
The 272,000 square foot Health and Learning Center (HLC) engages students in holistic learning by integrating recreation, health services, athletics, and academics into one central location. The center is home to Athletic offices; Campus Health Services, which includes Counseling Services, Disability Resources, Medical Services, and Health Promotions; Campus Recreation Services; Employee Assistance and Wellness; a pharmacy; locker rooms; and training spaces. In addition, there are two floors of classrooms, a sustainability café, and many lounge areas for studying, collaborating, and conversation.
Read more about the Health and Learning Center...
W.A. Franke College of Business
Certified: LEED Gold
On NAU's south campus, the LEED "Gold" rated business building incorporates "adaptive comfort" technology that relies heavily on natural ventilation for cooling. The actual floor is raised 18-inches above a concrete slab and at night, cold air is drawn into the building and circulated over the slabs. During the day, as air moves through the building, these slabs cool the air around them.
The building also uses natural lighting as much as possible to reduce energy costs. And water use in the building takes advantage of a reclaimed water system available through the city.
Read more about the Business Building...
Extended Campuses
Certified: LEED Gold
Extended Campuses facility has earned a LEED "Gold" certification. The three-story 23,000 square foot addition is the new home of the Extended Campuses program that was previously in three locations!
This new facility connects to the existing Communications building through a new atrium that will also be the main entry for the Extended Campuses program. It opens the building to natural light and creates an airy social and collegial space. Over 90% of interior spaces have views to the exterior of the building. One green building measure taken was to build a reflective roofing system and light colored paving that lessen the heat island effect.
Read more about Extended Campuses...
Engineering Building
Certified: LEED Gold
The Engineering building was virtually rebuilt, with the intended target of achieving a LEED "Silver" rating. However, the use of reclaimed water for all facility landscaping reduced potable water consumption by more than 50 percent, and use of reclaimed water in waste conveyance decreased overall potable water consumption by more than 90 percent. The end result was the achievement of a LEED "Gold" rating rather than the targeted "Silver" rating.
In addition, high-energy lighting and the increase in the number of exterior windows significantly lowered electrical use. Those factors, among several others, earned a higher "Gold" rating for Engineering.
Read more about the Engineering Building...
Native American Cultural Center
Certified: LEED Silver
The Native American Cultural Center is the focal point and platform for the diverse traditions, perspectives and contributions of Native American culture on the Flagstaff Mountain campus. Located adjacent to the student union and the Cline Library, the Center welcomes students, scholars, tribal communities, the university community and the general public providing opportunities to engage with and learn from each other.
As a "home away from home" for students, it will also house activities that support student recruitment and retention, serving as a point of contact for native groups on campus and programs involving NAU and the tribes. The Center embodies native values and serves as a symbol of the University's ongoing commitment to Native Americans, integrating native design features and sustainable design principles with participation from students, alumni, faculty and staff.
Read more about the Native American Cultural Center...
Hotel and Restaurant Management Expansion
Certified: LEED Silver
For more than 100 years, Northern Arizona University has served as the state's premier residential university. NAU faculty, students and alumni have been an integral part of Arizona’s economic and intellectual vitality.The Hotel Restaurant and Management School at NAU is recognized internationally as a leading provider of student-focused hospitality education.
On Monday, October 3, 2011, the School celebrated their renovated facility. HRM “East†includes 14,000 square feet of additional instructional space with a 32 work station demonstration kitchen, dining room/beverage lab, hospitality management lab with access to hotel management software technology, and much more. The renovation earned a LEED Silver rating certification.
Read more about the HRM Building Expansion...
Liberal Arts Renovation
Certified: LEED Silver
Renovations of the Liberal Arts building included new HVAC and sprinkler systems, two exterior stairwells, fire and safety upgrades, new audio/visual equipment for each classroom, and two new lecture rooms, including a new cinema screening space that will house 200 people. Cosmetic upgrades include new and environmentally friendly carpet, paint, wood paneling, tile floors, updated bathrooms and a student lounge. There will also be two new energy efficient computer labs for student use, with the addition of at least 50 new Macs and PCs.
Green Recreation Fields
Certified: LEED Silver
Located on south campus across from NAU's School of Forestry building, the new recreational fields were recently built to meet the student body's request of more recreational space. The fields fill that order while becoming a lesson in sustainability.
Read more about the Green Recreation Fields...
