Portland State University's Sustainability office announces that the new Biology Research Greenhouses have been awarded LEED Silver by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the first structure of its kind to receive this distinctive classification.

LEED is the USGBC's rating system for designing and constructing the world's greenest, most energy efficient, and high performing buildings. The PSU greenhouses provide a new research facility for the Biology department with adequate space for expected increases in plant research to help the continued growth and viability of science and technology at the university.

Green design features of the project include rainwater management and indoor energy savings. Stormwater management on site treats all runoff from the roof before it enters the city's stormwater system. Rainwater enters flow-through planters on the north and south sides of the project, which are populated with native plants, eliminating the need for irrigation. A driveway is made of permeable pavers, reducing impervious surfaces with its open grid design that allows water to infiltrate into the soil. The covered patio is enclosed by bamboo fencing, a rapidly renewable material.

Inside the greenhouses, the lumber used for cabinets and counters is Forest Stewardship Council certified. A healthy working environment is maintained with low-emitting paints and natural light maximized. Low-flow potting sinks and a dual flush toilet reduce water usage by an estimated 40 percent. Other energy saving measures include natural ventilation eliminating the need for mechanical heating and cooling and lighting occupancy sensors.

The certification is for Phase 1 of a two-phase project of ten modular interconnected greenhouses. The completed, LEED certified project includes four greenhouses with an office, work area, and covered patio. RMB Architects and Payne Construction worked with the PSU Facilities and Planning department to achieve LEED certification for energy use, lighting, water and material use as well as incorporating a variety of other sustainable strategies. LEED verifies environmental performance, occupant health and financial return.

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About the U.S. Green Building Council
The U.S. Green Building Council is a nonprofit membership organization whose vision is a sustainable built environment within a generation. Its membership includes corporations, builders, universities, government agencies, and other nonprofit organizations. Since UGSBC's founding in 1993, the Council has grown to more than 13,000 member companies and organizations, a comprehensive family of LEED® green building rating systems, an expansive educational offering, the industry's popular Greenbuild International Conference and Expo (www.greenbuildexpo.org), and a network of 72 local chapters, affiliates, and organizing groups. For more information, visit www.usgbc.org.

About LEED®
The LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System(tm) is a feature-oriented rating system that awards buildings points for satisfying specified green building criteria. The six major environmental categories of review include: Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy and Atmosphere, Materials and Resources, Indoor Environmental Quality and Innovation and Design. Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum levels of LEED green building certification are awarded based on the total number of points earned within each LEED category. LEED can be applied to all building types including new construction, commercial interiors, core & shell developments, existing buildings, homes, neighborhood developments, schools and retail facilities. For more information, visit www.usgbc.org/LEED.

Contact:
Julia Person, Facilities and Planning
503-725-4300, juliap@pdx.edu
www.pdx.edu/sustainability