Bren Hall

Bren Hall
General information
Town or city Santa Barbara, California
Country United States
Coordinates 34°24′43.61″N 119°50′31.25″W / 34.4121139°N 119.8420139°WCoordinates: 34°24′43.61″N 119°50′31.25″W / 34.4121139°N 119.8420139°W
Completed April 2002
Cost $26 Million
Client University of California, Santa Barbara
Design and construction
Architect Zimmer Gunsul Frasca

Bren Hall, opened in April 2002, is located on the campus of University of California, Santa Barbara, located in Santa Barbara, California. It is named in honor of philanthropist Donald Bren and hosts the university's Bren School of Environmental Science & Management. It has been called the "greenest" laboratory facility in the United States and offers a picturesque view of the Santa Barbara Channel and the Channel Islands.

Construction

Bren Hall's original location was a parking lot. In keeping with the green movement, all of the waste was recycled and used in the construction or elsewhere on campus. Bren Hall has served as a testament to sustainability and UC Santa Barbara has committed to construct new buildings to the Silver standards set forth by United States Green Building Council.

Platinum rating

The United States Green Building Council gave Bren Hall its very first Platinum rating under LEED 1.0's New Construction category. To receive certification, a building must meet the standards set by the council, which gives Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum ratings.

It was announced on 4 August 2009 that Bren Hall had become the first building in the nation to receive a second Platinum award, this time in the category Existing Buildings –– Operations & Maintenance.[1][2]

Environmental impact

Developers designed the building to conserve power by using energy-efficient lighting, natural lighting, efficient boilers, connection to the campus's chilled water loop, and a sophisticated building automation system. Many of the furnishings—including the carpet, insulation, counters, and furniture—were made from recycled materials. All water fixtures are highly efficient, including waterless urinals and low-flow, self-closing faucets. Reclaimed water is used in the toilets and for irrigation purposes. Offices on the side of the ocean are cooled by ventilation system of air from operable windows.

References

  1. ↑ Crandell, Caitlin (11 August 2009). "UCSB's Bren Hall Recognized for Being Super-Green". Santa Barbara Independent. Retrieved 19 September 2009.
  2. ↑ "UCSB's Bren Hall Is Nation's First Building to Earn ‘Double Platinum' Rating for Sustainability". UC Santa Barbara Press Release. 10 August 2009. Retrieved 19 September 2009.

External links