Mills College Builds a Laboratory Worth Platinum

A rainwater sculpture is a compelling feature on a lab building at Mills College that uses energy and resources efficiently (Mills College images)

Mills College, a small college for women in California’s Bay Area, has a number of building projects under way. One of the most recent projects to open is a natural-sciences building that has earned a platinum rating in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program.

The $17-million, 26,000-square-foot building features recycled carpeting, lots of natural light, and solar panels that provide 30 percent of the building’s electrical needs. A cistern made of an industrial-size mayonnaise container collects up to 60,000 gallons of rainwater from the roof, which is used in flushing toilets. Officials at the college say that the building is 45 percent more energy efficient than what’s required by California law. The building was designed by a team at EHDD Architecture.

In April, the college will break ground on a business-school building that will go for LEED gold certification.

The soaring lobby in the lab building features colored skylights. (Mills College Image)