Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 66.35
Liaison Trevor Ledbetter
Submission Date May 2, 2017
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

University of Arizona
IN-26: Innovation C

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 1.00 Benjamin Champion
N/A
Office of Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Name or title of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
ENR2 - Environment and Natural Resources building

A brief description of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome that outlines how credit criteria are met and any positive measurable outcomes associated with the innovation:

The Environment and Natural Resources building (ENR2) at University of Arizona is our latest LEED Platinum building (our 4th). But what makes it truly special is the degree to which it was designed using our natural landscape and ecology as the model. Its design mimics the aesthetic, but also the function, of a desert slot canyon.

A slot canyon is narrow at the top, and opens toward the base. This is a valuable feature in the hot desert southern Arizona climate. It allowed for the minimization of conditioned space by creating extensive shaded and landscaped patios on each floor - sheltered and irrigated naturally by the slot canyon design. When it rains, stormwater from the roof flows through a cascade of open-air tubes from floor to floor, watering the vegetation, and creating the feeling of a true canyon in a desert thunderstorm.

On top of the natural canyon aspects, the building is abundant with both passive and active energy and water-saving features, saving approximately 30% on energy over standard building design.

Finally, ENR2 is the new home to an array of academic departments, research, and outreach programs - all with environmental and sustainability as the focus. It's an interdisciplinary home for these programs that will enable even greater interdisciplinarity in the way these researchers and students think about and conduct their work.


Which of the following impact areas does the innovation most closely relate to? (select up to three):
Buildings
Water
Coordination & Planning

A letter of affirmation from an individual with relevant expertise or a press release or publication featuring the innovation :
The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:

Submission updated: September 2016


Submission updated: September 2016

The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.