High Performance Building Design and Biomimicry in the Built Environment
James V. Blount, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, Principal, Ellenzweig Architects
Tim Tolland, RLA, ASLA, LEED-AP, MLA, Associate Professor, SUNY College of Environmental Science
and Forestry
Donald J. Leopold, Distinguished Teaching Professor, Chair, SUNY College of Environmental Science
and Forestry
ABSTRACT
The College of Environmental Science and Forestry’s Academic Research Building embodies the
essence of high performance building design and innovative resource conservation strategies. Conceived
as an integrated building and site for research and education, the ARB will support these activities while
featuring a unique approach to biomimicry in the built environment.
The Academic Research Building has been designed as a two-phased 120,000 square foot research
laboratory building to house the research-intensive programs of the Department of Environmental and
Forest Biology. The building has been positioned on the site to achieve enhanced levels of natural
daylight and view optimization. It has been integrally designed and engineered to include high
performance exterior building facades, building integrated solar shading and photovoltaics, solar enabled
natural ventilation and the use of new and emerging technologies to reduce energy consumption above
and beyond the levels required by code.
The ARB’s “living-learning landscape” is envisioned as an biologically active and aesthetically attractive
integrated water quality initiative that recreates the natural filtration process. It starts at the top of the
building as a green wall and green roof; continues its downward flow descending through an
interconnected system to a lower level green roof. From the lower green roof, the stormwater
management system freefalls to a bog environment, after which the bog overflow leads to a series of
man-made marshland environments including a non-tidal saltwater marsh, brackish marsh and freshwater
marsh. Ultimately refreshing the natural aquifers and diverting 100 percent of the stormwater flow from
the combined storm/sewer system, the combination of these components will enable the site to
accommodate a 100-year storm event, greatly exceeding the NYS Stormwater Design requirements. The
entire system will be integrated into the campus landscape for direct engagement by the campus
community, facilitating teaching and social goals.
BIOGRAPHIES
James V. Blount, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, is a laboratory programming and planning architect, a principal
leader behind Ellenzweig's innovative sustainable design practice devoted to architecture for the
sciences; Jim is a founding board member of the New England Chapter of the International Institute for
Sustainable Laboratories (I2SL) and has been involved in the programming, planning, and design of over
two million square feet of space for scientific research and teaching. A particular area of interest and
expertise is the exploration and development of innovative sustainable design solutions for research
facilities. In acknowledgment of that expertise, he has participated on laboratory safety committees,
developed laboratory planning and safety standards, contributed to laboratory project budget
development and cost control for numerous clients, and served as an invited speaker at many national
and international forums addressing laboratory and sustainable design.
Donald J. Leopold earned his Ph.D. in forest ecology from Purdue University in 1984 and joined the
Department of Environmental and Forest Biology at SUNY ESF in August 1985. In 1998 he was
promoted to Distinguished Teaching Professor; in 1999, he was awarded the first SUNY ESF College
Foundation Award for Exceptional Achievement in teaching. In 2004, he was given the SUNY Research
Foundation Excellence in the Pursuit of Knowledge award, and in 2007 received the SUNY Chancellor’s
Award for Excellence in Faculty Service. Don has been Chair of his Department since February 2006. In
March 2014, Don was selected as one of Purdue’s College of Agriculture Distinguished Agriculture
Alumni. Don has published six books; four are major treatments of trees in North America. His fifth book,
Native Plants of the Northeast: A Guide for Gardening and Conservation (Timber Press, Portland, OR)
was given the Garden Writers Association Silver Media Award for excellence in horticultural writings. In
August 2009, he received the New York State Nursery and Landscape Association George L. Good Gold
Medal of Horticulture Award for outstanding contributions to horticulture in the state of New York. Don
has garnered nearly $35 million of extramural funding as principal or co-principal investigator. His
research primarily focuses on the ecology of native plant species, examining drivers of diversity and rarity
at micro to macro scales, the restoration of unique plant communities on alkaline industrial wastes in
urban areas, and applications of this research to sustainable, urban landscapes and green solutions.
Tim Toland, RLA, ASLA, LEED-AP, MLA, SUNY-ESF, 1998 Associate Professor, Department of
Landscape Architecture, SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry. Tim’s research interests focus on
applications of green infrastructure in difficult climates, with the goal of improving designer’s decision
making processes by providing tested and proven information. With a background in practice and
degrees in both horticulture and design, Tim is able to bring together the issues of hardscape and
softscape for the creation of innovative and enduring installations. His approach is interdisciplinary and
inclusive, looking to make all participants active stakeholders in the design and implementation process.