Green buildings

In support of the University's commitment to a high level of environmental stewardship and social values, it is the policy of the University of Miami's Design and Construction department to plan, design, construct, manage, renovate and maintain its facilities in a sustainable manner.  This policy applies to all new construction and all major renovations.  All projects shall consider sustainability issues including site design, water, energy efficiency, products and materials that minimize environmental impact, and indoor air quality.  All contractors, architects, and other vendors shall be required to participate in this team effort to minimize the impact of University construction projects on the environment.

The US Green Building Council's LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Building Rating System, which establishes guidelines and evaluated the environmental sustainability of buildings, will be the design and measurement standard. Specifically:

1. All new buildings shall be designed and constructed to attempt to reach a minimum standard of LEED Silver rating.
2. Projects will strive to achieve a higher level than LEED Silver whenever possible.
3. Major renovation of existing buildings where major portions or floors of the facility and infrastructure are upgraded shall be designed and constructed to attempt to reach a minimum standard of LEED Silver rating.
4. Minor renovations shall follow good sustainable design practices and shall comply with the University of Miami Building Component Standards.
5. University of Miami Building Component Standards shall be updated regularly to include the latest Green Building components and standards as deemed acceptable by Design and Construction and Physical Plant.  All projects shall follow the standards whenever possible.
6. Contractors and Architects shall employ, whenever possible, LEED accredited staff to assist in the management and documentation of design and construction activities for LEED certification.

The Design and Construction department has taken the lead in ensuring that our buildings are constructed in a sustainable manner.  The department has LEED certified 1.2M SF of Green Buildings to date and is in the process of developing an additional 727K SF of LEED-certified facilities.  We are in the process of "greening" our building component standards so that any sized project or repair is also environmentally responsible.

Find your building in the table below and click on it to learn more about its sustainability features!

The Phillip and Patricia Frost School of Music is one of the largest and best music schools located in a private university in the U.S., and one of the most comprehensive and relevant in all of higher education. The complex was made possible by the generosity of the school’s naming benefactors Dr. Phillip and Patricia Frost.

Designed by award-winning architects Yann Weymouth and HOK, and constructed by Skanska USA, the facility boasts two buildings with 41,089 square feet of upscale teaching spaces and beautiful curb appeal. The Patricia Louise Frost Music Studios is the first LEED® Platinum certified building project in the City of Coral Gables.

VIRTUAL TOUR 

Innovative design features such as rooftop green spaces, a rain garden, and a LEED Gold Certified construction supports the sustainability initiatives of our campus and local communities.

1. The village’s green roofs reduce and slow down water runoff, provide food for pollinator species of animals, naturally insulate the building, absorb carbon dioxide to clean the air, and help regulate the climate.
2. Insulated walls and enhanced window glazing help to regulate the interior temperature without relying on cooling or heating systems.
3. Innovative heating and cooling systems are designed to condition and filter the air and repurpose it for other uses throughout the facility.
4. Existing trees and plant life were evaluated and, when possible, were incorporated into the landscape of Lakeside Village or located elsewhere on campus or in the surrounding local area.

The Miami Herbert Business School, located on the University of Miami Coral Gables campus, has achieved LEED Gold Certification for Existing Building Operations & Maintenance (EBOM) as designated by the US Green Building Council (USGBC) for its environmental performance and sustainable operations.  The project is the first LEED v4.1 OM higher-education building in the State of Florida. Click here to view its LEED scorecard.

1. Staff and student experience are matched with efficiency with more than 90% LED lighting, in-room air quality sensors, audio/visual and telepresence technology, and automatic window shading.
2. The building successfully diverts 60% of all waste generated from landfill.
3. The building is 30% more energy efficient than the national average of university college buildings.
4. There is a high focus on student and staff ergonomics and comfort with state-of-the-art furniture, indoor foliage, and beautiful views of the outside in nearly every occupied space.

Green Professional (GPRO) is North America’s top program for teaching the people who build, renovate and maintain buildings the principles of sustainability, combined with techniques they can use on the job the very next day. 

The University of Miami GPRO Certificate Program is customized for the climate and regional needs of South Florida. Participants learn to use building metrics to reduce operating costs, improve occupancy rates and raise tenant satisfaction. This knowledge enables them to implement leading-edge practices that reduce energy, water use, and waste, plus make buildings healthier and safer for occupants.

Participants will develop expertise in:

1. Improving the building envelope for a healthier building
2. Reducing water usage
3. Increasing cooling and heating system efficiency
4. Managing lighting for minimal energy use with maximum quality
5. Reducing waste
6. Operational and property resilience

The GPRO Certificate Program is offered in partnership with the Urban Green Council, an affiliate of the US Green Building Council (USGBC). The course is taught by GPRO-certified UM instructors who are experienced professionals in the industry and are well-informed on sustainability issues. The program is offered through the University of Miami’s Office of Professional Advancement, in partnership with the UM College of Engineering’s Master of Science in Construction Management Program.

For more program information, please contact the Office of Professional Advancement at 305-284-4000.

Gables One Tower & UHealth Don Soffer Clinical Research Center are Energy Star certified buildings. Learn more about Energy Star Buildings here