The 360,000 square foot Knight Management Center at Stanford Graduate School of Business has received LEED-Platinum certification, the highest green building rating.
The complex of eight buildings, which opened in April 2011, is home to Stanford’s MBA programs among others, and provides a central space to both bring students together from across Stanford’s seven schools for interdisciplinary learning.
"As we train new generations of managerial leaders, we hope that Stanford’s commitment to sustainability will inspire our students to promote sustainable business practices in the future," says Garth Saloner, dean of the Stanford Graduate School of Business.
The green features of the building underscore the curriculum which includes courses such as Environmental Entrepreneurship and Environmental Science for Managers and Policy Makers.
Knight Management Center received 60 points, exceeding the 52 points required for LEED Platinum.
Green features include:
- The relatively narrow dimensions of the classroom buildings and floor-to-ceiling glass maximize the amount of daylight entering the building, significantly reducing the need for electric lighting; 90% of interior work spaces are illuminated by daylight and room lights turn off automatically when a room is emptied, reducing the electricity load.
- Solar PV panels on the roof power 12.5% of the energy demand and the eight buildings exceed current state energy standards by 45%.
For example, more efficient under-floor air distribution systems replace forced air systems, and air-handling units recapture waste heat and redistribute it where it is needed. During summer months, the building employs night flushing systems – automated skylights and windows – to release the hot air of day and draw in cool air overnight.
- The Center has reduced potable water usage for sewer conveyance by 80% by using grey water and rainwater.
- 50% of the site is devoted to open space, and parking for 900 cars is underground.
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