Campus Buildings in the Environment Treasure Hunt
One important factor that determines much of the way in which we interact (positively or
negatively) with the natural environment and the resources that we use is the location and
construction of buildings and the modification of landscape. This is a hot topic in architecture
right now, and many architects are making an effort to design buildings that are more integrated
with their surroundings.
The first part of the assignment is to explore a building on campus. The second part is to
examine the University’s Sustainability Initiatives (described here ) and described in more detail
in this video William Paterson University: An Array of Sustainable Initiatives - Planet Forward) and here in
the Physical Plant webpage https://www.wpunj.edu/facilities/sustainable-initiatives/.
Hunt for key elements of the plan or evidence of positive outcomes.
PART ONE: BUILDING and GROUNDS DESIGN AND THE ENVIRONMENT
We will walk around campus and explore buildings and grounds from the perspective on
sustainability. As we explore, keep in mind the following questions. Include photos or weblinks
to support your answers:
1. Identify at least three different buildings or grounds features that you think were designed
or constructed to promote sustainability. For each one, list the sustainability principle(s) it
supports , and the extent to which you think this is a significant contribution (is it HIGH
MEDIUM or LOW and why)
a. ______________________________
b. ______________________________
c. ______________________________
d. _______________________________
2. Think about how these features promote sustainability. In what ways do you think they
help (be specific)? What might be some trade-offs (think of things like convenience,
comfort of the space, cost to build or maintain or replace, expense for students, etc).
What evidence would you want to see if you were a university trustee asked to approve
these features?
3. How well does the feature “work” as a human/architectural environment? (Does the
design help foster or block sustainable habits of the people on campus –does it reduce or
increase the need for cars? Does it increase or decrease waste? Is it accessible for people)
Is it dark and dingy or light and airy? Are the classrooms large or small? If you have
classes in this building, how would you rate its inside environment relative to other
buildings on campus? What kind of views does it offer/change/give?)
When we return to the classroom be prepared to discuss.
PART TWO: FUN FACTS ABOUT WPU’s SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES (find details
in the links given in the Intro, and here: https://www.wpunj.edu/facilities/sustainable-initiatives/ and here
https://www.wpunj.edu/sustainability/)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
What are the FOUR initiatives that comprise WPU’s Sustainability Plan?
How is the WPU Sustainability Plan developed? What is the committee called?
What were the main goals of the Sustainability Plan for 2019
What was the campus carbon footprint for the period from April 2019 to April
2020? How many pounds of carbon were emitted during that time from commuter
contributions? https://wpconnect.wpunj.edu/misc/greenteam/default.cfm
How much reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (what percent reduction) has the
university achieved since 2007 (hint look under Sustainability Initiatives)?
What percentage of the University’s electricity is supplied by solar panels?
Who can use the EV charging stations and what do users pay for the electricity?
How do you get access to these charging stations?
What are 3 key benefits of using a refillable water bottle ? See this paper for details
Sustainability of reusable packaging–Current situation and trends - ScienceDirect