Solar panels that top the Clough Undergraduate Learning Commons.
Georgia Tech has literally written the book on sustainable building practices; the Georgia Tech Yellow Book (pdf) is a document unique to the Institute that guides architects and engineers in the process of designing new buildings, building additions and renovations to existing buildings, and incorporating utility and transportation infrastructure improvements.
Since 2009, all new construction and renovations are built to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) gold standards. As of March 2012, Tech has six LEED Gold certified buildings:
- Klaus Advanced Computing Building
- Zelnak Center
- Women’s Softball Complex
- Hinman Research Building
- North Avenue Apartments
- Old Civil Engineering Building
and one LEED Silver certified:
- Scheller College of Business
Nine buildings are LEED registered and awaiting certification, including two fraternity houses. An additional 25 buildings have been renovated, constructed or are in the process of being designed or built that meet LEED standards. The new Clough Undergraduate Learning Commons is topped with more than 300 solar panels and a green roof garden.
Georgia Tech's College of Architecture, College of Engineering and the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) offer extensive educational and hands-on research opportunities in green building. In 2007, students placed sixth in the prestigious Solar Decathlon, an international competition among 20 universities to design, build and operate an 800-square-foot, solar-powered house.