"The overall goal is to produce buildings that take less from the earth and gives more to people." -A Primer of Sustainable Building , The Rocky Mountain Institute

Reducing the environmental impacts and increasing the resource-efficiency of campus buildings is a beneficial way to "do the right thing." By implementing high performance building design (HPBD), Brown University can be ethical while also enjoying increased economic and health benefits. Brown University is a leader in education so it is natural and essential that Brown proactively address environmental issues. HPBD will provide healthy, productive places for students to live and work. Staff and faculty will also benefit in terms of health, happiness, and comfort. The increased productivity, lower health care costs, and decreased absenteeism of employees along with lower building operations and maintenance fees will improve Brown's bottom line while freeing up funds for other pressing needs. It is especially important to create HPBD policies now because Brown University is embarking on $200-300 million dollars of construction projects over the next decade.

Benefits to High Performance Buildings

• Fulfills university's social responsibility to lead society to better world
• Increases external respect
• Saves on Operations and Maintenance Costs
• Improves Occupant Health and Productivity
• Reduces Negative Impact on Natural Environment
• Attracts prospective students and donors concerned with the environment
• Creates comfortable and healthy working spaces that attract and retain high quality staff
• Increases learning for all stakeholders
• Supports Rhode Island 's goal to meet greenhouse gas emissions reductions targets
• Helps cut pollution from fossil fuels
• Brings Recognition to Brown as a Responsible Building Designer
• Reduces energy use, water consumption and material use
• Increases life span of building
• Exceeds Environmental Regulations, Reduces Liability

Follow to the first Benefit

After reading about HPBD benefits, please visit the "How" page for recommendations on how high performance design will work at Brown and specific steps Brown decision-makers and stakeholders can take.