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University of Denver College of Law

Overview

• Location: Denver, CO
• Climate Region: 5B: Cool - Dry
• Building type(s): Higher education
• New construction
• 210,000 ft2 (19,500 m2)
• Project scope: 4-story building
• Urban setting
• Completed 2004
• Rating: U.S. Green Building Council LEED-NC, v.2/v.2.1--Level: Gold (39 points)

The University of Denver's College of Law houses one of the nation's top environmental and natural resource law programs. The first LEED-certified law school in the nation, the facility offered the College an opportunity to design a building consistent with its mission: a green facility that reduces environmental impact and prioritizes occupant safety. The new 210,000 ft2, four-floor facility, constructed on a former parking lot, includes a library, large lecture halls, training courtrooms, a dining hall, and faculty offices.

Future university-wide projects include campus ground-source heating and cooling as well as high-performance building construction on several new projects.

Environmental Aspects

An integrated design process allowed the project team to create a building that is environmentally and economically efficient. Thanks in part to the installation of energy-efficient lighting and use of daylighting, the building uses 40% less energy than a comparable conventional building. Likewise, due to installation of low-flow fixtures and other water-conservation measures, the College of Law has reduced its water use by 40%. Over half of the waste during construction was diverted from landfills. Finally, low-emitting interior materials and finishes were used throughout the building.

Owner & Occupancy

• Owned and occupied by University of Denver, State government
• Typically occupied by 734 people, 0 hours per person per week; and 0 visitors per week, 0 hours per visitor per week

Building Programs

Indoor Spaces:	Classroom, Electrical systems, Mechanical systems, Lobby/reception, Restrooms, Cafeteria, Structured parking, Office, Conference
Outdoor Spaces:	Pedestrian/non-motorized vehicle path, Drives/roadway, Patio/hardscape

Keywords

Integrated team, Simulation, Contracting, Commissioning, Performance measurement and verification, Operations and maintenance, Brownfield redevelopment, Indigenous vegetation, Stormwater management, Efficient fixtures and appliances, Efficient irrigation, Massing and orientation, Insulation levels, Glazing, Airtightness, Passive solar, HVAC, Lighting control and daylight harvesting, Efficient lighting, Recycled materials, Local materials, C&D waste management, Daylighting, Natural ventilation, Ventilation effectiveness, Thermal comfort, Low-emitting materials, Indoor air quality monitoring

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