Buildings are generally the largest user of energy and the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions on college campuses. Buildings also use significant amounts of potable water and materials, and can negatively impact human health. Furman strives to design, build, and maintain buildings in ways that provide a safe and healthy indoor environment for inhabitants while simultaneously mitigating the building’s impact on the outdoor environment.

Shown above:  Hipp Hall, built in 2003, was the first LEED-certified (Gold) Building in South Carolina.

 

Did You Know?

Furman has eight LEED certified buildings including Hipp Hall, the first LEED certified building in South Carolina, and The Shi Institute for Sustainable Communities, a former Southern Living Green Design Showcase home.

The Physical Activities Center (PAC) is home to a large solar thermal system that generates hot water for the building. The roof also holds a 95 kW solar photovoltaic array that provides electricity to the building.

Since 2013, the North Village apartments, which house upperclass students, run on highly efficient geothermal ground-source heat pumps, which take advantage of the constant temperature of the earth to pre-heat or pre-cool air for ventilation. 

What’s Next?

We strive to improve the efficiency, operations, and work environment of our buildings and are currently:

  • Drafting an indoor air quality policy for our working spaces.
  • Transitioning the university lighting systems to LED lights.
  • Considering implementing a full life cycle analysis approach to building design and operation.
  • Pursuing more renewable sources of electricity through our energy provider.