Power of SUNY

Farmingdale State Launches Green Building Institute

April 2010, Farmingdale State College secured $357,000 in federal funds to establish a Green Building Institute (GBI), which will encourage and aid in the design and construction of buildings on Long Island that significantly reduce or eliminate the negative impact of structures on the environment.

Specifically, the GBI will make Long Island a center of research and development, job creation, and economic enterprise relating to green buildings; assist Long Island business, municipalities and school systems to reap cost and productivity benefits of producing green buildings; enhance the quality of life through building design; and assist Long Island businesses, municipalities, and school systems in addressing environmental challenges through green building design.

Areas of focus will include alternative energy, alternative construction, architectural design, storm water management, green roofs and green walls, HVAC/energy management, electrical engineering, and testing of “low-emitting” building materials with regard to air quality and industrial hygiene.

Working with municipalities, agencies, and the public in training, workshops, and seminars, the institute will address such needs as alternative energies, alternative construction materials, storm water management, "green" roofs and walls, developing sampling techniques for monitoring indoor air quality, and water efficient landscaping.

The GBI introduced its first programs in Fall 2010.