BOWIE, Md., April 9, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Bowie State University's award-winning center for transformational learning and research has earned another distinction for its innovative design, achieving the top green designation for a new building. That recognition makes Bowie State one of only three Maryland universities with this distinction.
The U.S. Green Building Council awarded its platinum Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) designation for the Center for Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Nursing, where faculty and students engage in innovative teaching and learning in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
The council's LEED Scorecard includes seven categories, with the most significant points falling within three areas: energy & atmosphere, indoor environmental quality and sustainable sites. The Center for Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Nursing received near perfect scores for energy & atmosphere and sustainable sites.
Some of the key sustainability features include:
- 25,000 square feet of dynamic glazed windows that tint on-demand to lower energy usage by 20 percent and peak energy demand by up to 26 percent
- A heating and cooling system including chilled beam technology with chilled water heat exchanger used as a convection to cut energy costs
- Computerized ventilation system that continuously samples air quality in laboratories and automatically adjusts the rate of airflow as needed
- Sloped landscaping throughout the plaza that prevents rainwater from running off onto paved surfaces
- A vibrant array of native deciduous shade trees in the building's plaza serving as a natural buffer from the sun's rays
The 149,000-square-foot center, opened in 2017, was designed to boost interest and student engagement in STEM education and research. In addition to its sustainability features, the award-winning building design contains the following distinctive details:
- Glass-walled labs and classrooms in an open floor plan that offer a peek into science and research in action
- One of the nation's most state-of-the-art nursing simulation centers that enables students to use lifelike computerized mannequins
- A greenhouse integrated into the building for plant sciences research
Learn more about Bowie State's Center for Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Nursing: http://www.bowiestate.edu/sciencecenter.
About Bowie State University
Bowie State University (BSU) is an important higher education access portal for qualified persons from diverse academic and socioeconomic backgrounds, seeking a high-quality and affordable public comprehensive university. The university places special emphasis on the science, technology, cybersecurity, teacher education, business, and nursing disciplines within the context of a liberal arts education. For more information about BSU, visit http://www.bowiestate.edu.
SOURCE Bowie State University
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