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St. Thomas University: A Role Model for Sustainable Innovation
The University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota, has made significant strides towards sustainability with its newly opened Schoenecker Center for STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics). This impressive facility is not just about enhancing the educational experience; it stands as a beacon of green construction, earning a prestigious LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.
Bridging Disciplines in a Single Space
The Schoenecker Center, which cost $110 million and spans approximately 130,000 square feet, was designed to harmonize disciplines that traditionally maintain separate spaces. This ambitious project aims to foster collaboration across the School of Engineering and the College of Arts and Sciences. It features a variety of labs, rehearsal spaces, and study areas, all interconnected to optimize resources and enhance learning opportunities.
Greg Fenton, AIA, a director at BWBR, emphasizes that careful space planning is crucial to the project’s mission. By integrating biology, physics, music, and arts, St. Thomas is setting an example of how practical design can facilitate interdisciplinary education.
Innovative Sustainability Practices
Going beyond architecture, the center incorporates numerous sustainability features that underline the university's commitment to decreasing its environmental footprint. For instance, the building uses locally sourced materials and boasts advanced HVAC systems that provide a 27% efficiency gain over standard requirements.
The installation of a remarkable 241,000-gallon rainwater cistern exemplifies cutting-edge water management strategies, effectively reducing outdoor water use by 100%. This preservation technique showcases the university's intent to educate and lead on sustainable practices by demonstrating tangible, eco-friendly construction methods.
A Commitment to Future Generations
The Schoenecker Center serves as part of St. Thomas's broader strategy to pursue sustainability across its campus, with the goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2035. As Jim Brummer, vice president for facilities management, points out, this commitment is intertwined with their mission to provide a healthier environment for students and staff while also realizing cost efficiencies through reduced energy consumption.
St. Thomas has already made significant headway, with a 51% reduction in carbon emissions over the last decade, highlighting that sustainable practices can also yield economic savings. With years of research and planning culminating in the Schoenecker Center, St. Thomas University is positioned as a leader in green education, paving the way for future sustainable innovations in academia.
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