Sustainability

CU-ICAR is a member of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Green Power Partners. The Green Power Partnership is a voluntary program that supports the organizational procurement of green power by offering expert advice, technical support, tools and resources. Follow the link below for more information about the Green Power Partnership program.

EPA Partner Profile

• CU-ICAR Innovation Place & AutoPark
• Carroll A. Campbell Jr. Graduate Engineering Center (CGEC)
• Collaboration 3 Building - Timken Technology Center of Greenville
• BMW Information Technology Research Center (ITRC)

CU-ICAR Innovation Place & AutoPark

The CU-ICAR Innovation Place & AutoPark is the first LEED-NC Gold certified state-funded project in South Carolina. Located at the core of CU-ICAR's first phase of development, Technology Neighborhood I, the CU-ICAR Innovation Place & AutoPark houses the Partnership Offices, the Carolina First Gallery and St. Francis Vrum Fitness Center. The Innovation Place project also has been recognized by the South Carolina Chapter of the American Institute of Architects with a 2009 Special Citation for Design Excellence.

Project Highlights:

Sustainable Sites

• Landscape: Landscaping plays a significant part in water efficiency and biodiversity. The plant selection for the CU-ICAR Technology Neighborhood I Plaza includes native and adaptive species that do not require any permanent irrigation. Bosque Elm, Willow Oak, Tulip Poplar and Carex are all examples of plants that are tolerant of this region's warm, humid climate. Extensive native grass and wildflower meadows are designed to filter storm water as well as provide habitat for wildlife throughout the year. Planting native species and minimizing turf grass also reduces the need for maintenance and fertilization.

Water Efficiency

• Roof Garden: CU-ICAR Innovation Place is topped off with a sustainable green roof. The roof lowers the heat island effect of CU-ICAR Innovation Place and keeps the building cooler than a typical roofing application. The green roof also collects rainwater in a multilayer drainage system allowing the native grasses and perennials to thrive 55 feet above the ground.

Energy and Atmosphere

• Lighting: CU-ICAR Innovation Place incorporates abundant natural light into all occupied spaces. Sunshade devices are also used on the south and east façades to minimize glare and provide flexibility to the building occupants. The interior lights use high-efficiency florescent bulbs that conserve energy and transmit less heat into the space and are controlled by motion sensitive occupancy sensors.

Materials and Resources

• Construction Waste Management: 93% of all construction waste was recycled including concrete, asphalt, paper, metal and cardboard. Over 345 Tons of waste was recycled.

Indoor Environmental Quality

• Indoor Air Quality: All occupied spaces in CU-ICAR Innovation Place are supplied with pre-conditioned air. To make sure the air is of the highest quality, carbon dioxide monitors are located throughout the building. Additionally, all adhesives, sealants, paints, coatings and composite wood products and carpets meet the safety standard for low VOCs (volatile organic compounds).

Carroll A. Campbell Jr. Graduate Engineering Center (CGEC)

The Carroll A. Campbell Jr. Graduate Engineering Center (CGEC) received LEED-NC Silver certification. The 90,000-square-foot facility houses Clemson's unique Masters and PhD graduate programs in automotive engineering

Project Highlights:

Sustainable Sites

• Alternative Transportation: Through negotiations with the City of Greenville, the CGEC was able to reduce the required number of parking spaces per the current zoning ordinance by over 20% saving significant capital project funds and reducing the amount of impervious areas.

Water Efficiency

• Innovative Wastewater Technologies: The CGEC uses 32% less potable water than baseline fixture performance requirements of the Energy Policy Act of 1992.

Energy and Atmosphere

• Optimize Energy Performance: All building systems have been fully commissioned by a third party in order to ensure accurate installation, start-up and maintenance.

Materials and Resources

• Construction Waste Management: Over 75% of all construction waste was recycled including concrete, asphalt, paper, metal and cardboard. Over 1,820 Tons of waste recycled (over 3.5 million pounds).

Indoor Environmental Quality

• Construction IAQ Management Plan: All ducts and permeable materials were protected against contamination during construction; all construction filtration media was replaced before occupancy. Low VOC paints, adhesives, carpet and sealants were used throughout the building.

Collaboration 3 Building - Timken Technology Center of Greenville

Constructed by The Furman Company in 2006, Collaboration 3 is the first LEED Gold-CS (Core and Shell) building in the state of South Carolina, the second LEED certified in Greenville County, the first LEED Gold certified within the city limits of Greenville, and the first LEED certified building at CU-ICAR. The project was also awarded The Carolinas Chapter of the Counselors of Real Estate (CRE) "Creative Thinkers Award".

BMW Information Technology Research Center (ITRC)

BMW received its second Wildlife and Industry Together (W.A.I.T.) certification from the South Carolina Wildlife Federation for its Information Technology Research Center (ITRC). BMW constructed a wildlife viewing area, nature trails and a W.A.I.T. garden behind its ITRC facility located on the CU-ICAR campus. The South Carolina Wildlife Federation's W.A.I.T. program is designed to encourage corporate landowners to integrate wildlife habitat needs into corporate land management decisions.