Sage Hall is designed to accommodate state-of-the-art classrooms, labs, project rooms and faculty offices. Designed to achieve LEED-Gold rating, the new building spanning 191,000 square feet, will be unveiled in late 2011. According to vice chancellor of administrative services, Tom Sonnleitner, the facility is expected to be the largest LEED gold building in their system.
The building will attain LEED points on water and energy efficiency, and recycled materials. Major eco-friendly features of the building contain a planted green roof, which will assist in purifying storm water, preserve pollutants and evaporate water. The building is fitted with solar thermal panels to heat the water. The construction and design process has made use of recycled, renewable, or locally produced building materials.
The Sage Hall has been designed in such a way that natural sunlight has a major role in illuminating the space. It will provide 90% of the building’s spaces with light. The building features an open-air courtyard with a tree at its centre. The lobby of the building will include a display explaining the building’s energy consumption and efficiency.
The word ‘sage’ has multiple meanings such as ‘nature of wisdom’ and ‘wisdom of nature’. These phrases will be displayed on the outside of the building.
