Pomona College's new student housing complex is the first residence hall in California to receive a Leed Platinum certification, which is given out based on sustainable and environmental practices in a building. The campus residence managed to achieve that rating by abandoning the stylistic cues from the rest of the buildings around the college, instead showing a commitment to ecological wellbeing.
Most of the buildings throughout Pomona College employ the traditional California (and southwest) vernacular of terracotta tile roofing. While that aesthetic is valid, it effectively wastes space that might otherwise be used for energy generation, especially in sunny Pomona. The new residence has flat roofs that hold photovoltaic arrays, producing 14 percent of the annual electrical needs and 80 percent of the hot water heating.
Sustainable Student Housing
Pomona College's New Housing is LEED Platinum Certified
Trend Themes
1. LEED Platinum Housing - Opportunities for building sustainable and environmentally friendly housing complexes with the aim of achieving a Leed Platinum certification.
2. Photovoltaic Arrays - Advancements in solar-powered technology with the potential to reduce energy consumption and costs by incorporating photovoltaic arrays in buildings.
3. Renewable Energy - The growing demand for renewable energy sources as a means of reducing environmental impact and achieving sustainability goals.
Industry Implications
1. Real Estate Development - The real estate development industry should leverage sustainable building materials and innovative design elements, such as photovoltaic arrays, to achieve Leed Platinum certification and reduce carbon footprint.
2. Green Energy - The green energy industry should seek to develop new technologies and solutions to increase the adoption rate and affordability of renewable energy in buildings and other structures.
3. Higher Education - The higher education industry should consider incorporating sustainable and environmentally friendly practices, such as the use of photovoltaic arrays, into campus design and development projects.