New GIS Building | Golisano Institute for Sustainability

New GIS Building

Sustainability Institute Hall Dedicated

Sustainability Institute Hall, the Golisano Institute for Sustainability's new headquarters on the RIT campus was dedicated in mid-April 2013. The 84,000-square-foot facility is a state-of-the-art laboratory for scientific discovery and experiential learning. The building is home to GIS' master’s degree and Ph.D. programs in sustainability and architecture. Research labs, student work areas, classrooms and conference rooms, a 55-seat auditorium and office suites all open onto a light-filled, four-story galleria space. The facility was designed and constructed to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards of the U.S. Green Building Council. RIT has one other LEED Platinum (University Services Center) and one LEED Gold (Engineering Technology Hall) facility, but the GIS building is the largest and most advanced project to date. Among Sustainability Hall's outstanding features are:

7 systems integration test beds.
8 sustainability technology support laboratories.
Computing and collaborative spaces to support research.
Extensive glazing reduces the amount of artificial light required inside the structure. A sunshade system of stationary louvers on the south side of the building reduces heat buildup from direct sun exposure during summer months.
UTC Model 400 Purecell System is the primary energy source for the building. This unit produces 400 kilowatts of continuous electric power; heat generated as a by-product of electrical generation helps heat this and other buildings on campus.
Microgrid system that takes variable power inputs from all sources (including windmills and solar panels) and stores energy in a battery bank to provide 50 kilowatt-hours of power. This will power some of the building’s lights and electrical outlets as well as charging stations for electric vehicles.
Geothermal system using liquid that circulates from eight 150-foot deep wells through pipes in the galleria floor, helping to keep the building warm in winter and cool in summer.

(A photo-timeline of the building construction is available here)