Power of SUNY

SUNY ESF Builds Gateway Center

The SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) broke ground Friday, Aug. 6, 2010, for construction of the new Gateway Building, a $28.3 million project that will showcase the college’s commitment to sustainability through a sophisticated array of renewable energy technologies.

Designed to meet the highest Platinum Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards set by the U.S. Green Building Council, the ESF Gateway Building will produce energy for itself and several other buildings on the ESF campus. At the same time, it will become a focal point for campus life with space for student gatherings, exhibitions and conferences; a cafeteria; and a fitness center.

The Gateway Building will contain facilities that have never before been offered on the ESF campus, such as a sustainable green roof made from plantings native to Central New York, with a walk-out observation deck; and a roof-mounted photovoltaic and solar thermal systems to provide electricity and hot water.

The building will use a combined heat and power (CHP) system designed to produce steam heat and electric power for the Gateway Building and four additional academic buildings, meeting up to 65 percent of ESF’s campus heating needs and 20 percent of its electrical needs.

One of the building’s outstanding features is a unique combination of renewable energy systems and green building design. This building is expected to achieve a LEED Platinum level of sustainability while reducing ESF’s campus energy costs, fossil fuel dependence and carbon footprint.