To Celebrate Earth Day, U. of Utah Breaks Ground on a New Building

The U. of Utah breaks ground today on an energy-efficient lab. (Lord, Aeck & Sargent images)

The University of Utah is marking Earth Day with a groundbreaking for a 200,000-square-foot, $130-million interdisciplinary research facility that will be built to meet gold-level standards in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program.

The James L. Sorenson Molecular Biotechnology Building, designed by Lord, Aeck & Sargent, will use 40 percent less energy than a comparable building designed just to satisfy laboratory code requirements. The new building will feature elements seen in many LEED-certified structures: natural lighting, rainwater harvesting and bioswales, local materials, fly-ash concrete, and low-toxin finishes. The sandstone cladding is meant to recall regional Native American structures. Research in the building will include projects in engineering, bioengineering, neurosciences, molecular biology, medical-device development, and drug development.

On Earth Day, though, it’s worth keeping in mind that even an energy-efficient new building adds to the emissions and energy use of any institution.