Building "Green"

The University of Denver Sturm College of Law (SCOL) building is the nation's first certified "green" law school. Consistent with its century-plus leadership in environmental and natural resources law and ethics, DU "practices what it teaches" – building a state-of-the-art law center that is also visionary in terms of human health and environmental protection. The Frank H. Ricketson Jr. Law Building is the first law school ever built to the exacting standards of the U.S. Green Building Council's "Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design" (LEED) green building certification system. It received the USGBC's "Gold Award" for excellence upon its completion in 2003. LEED employs known, effective practices that are revolutionizing how buildings will be constructed in the 21st century (even the

U.S. Navy now builds to LEED standards!). LEED requirements include environmental architecture and design, sustainable site management, transportation alternatives, water conservation, energy efficiency, environmentally safe materials, recycling, indoor air quality control, and innovation in design.

• Energy Conservation – The law building was designed to use 40% less total energy than a comparable conventional building, with
  • More efficient electric lighting strategies, equipment, and controls (such as occupancy sensors)
  • Efficient mechanical systems
  • High thermal performance walls, windows, and roof
  • High-tech, energy efficient classrooms, moot court, study rooms, offices, and library.


• Recycling – Recycling was integral to the building's construction and is integrated into its day-to-day operation
  • Spaces on all floors provide areas for recycling glass, paper, and plastics
  • Building materials contained a high percentage of post-consumer recycled materials, including structural steel, copper roof, carpeting, acoustic tiles, etc.
  • More than 50% of all construction wastes were diverted from landfills and recycled.


• Light Pollution Reduction – Exterior lighting does not flood the night sky, eliminating vertical light pollution and horizontal light trespass.


• Electric Car Recharging – The law building's parking garage is equipped with recharging outlets for electric vehicles.


• Indoor Air Quality – Designers employed proactive approaches to ensure indoor air quality through:
  • Superior ventilation
  • No smoking in building
  • A carbon monoxide monitoring system
  • Low emitting paints, carpets and composite wood products
  • Indoor chemical and pollutant controls.


• Water Conservation –
  • Infrared sensors were installed on water faucets, men's bathrooms have waterless urinals, and other water efficiency fixtures result in 39% water use reduction (as compared to conventional building)
  • Natural groundwater is collected and recycled for landscape irrigation, eliminating the use of treated city water
  • Native plants and special irrigation technology results in 50% less water used for landscaping
  • A sophisticated stormwater system surrounds the perimeter of the building which reduces and sand-filters runoff.


• Furniture – The SCOL purchased furniture and systems only from manufacturers with demonstrated environmental, health, and safety (EHS) policies and practices with regard to recycled and certified raw materials, manufacturing processes, indoor air quality, performance and ergonomics, and resource recovery.


• Local Materials – 29% of building materials were manufactured locally, including concrete, bricks, and windows, thus reducing environmental impacts from transportation and supporting the local economy.


• Green Power – Approximately 50% of all building energy needs are drawn from renewable energy sources (wind generation).


• LEED Accredited Consultant – DU Law utilized the environmental design consulting firm of ENSAR Group Inc., located in Boulder, Colorado, to advise and document the architectural work done by H+L Architects, Shepley Bulfinch Richardson and Abbott, and the University of Denver.

back to top »