Construction

According to standards developed by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), the Harker Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering (ISE) building meets LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver Standards. According to the USGBC, LEED certified buildings save money and resources, and have a positive impact on the health of occupants, while promoting renewable, clean energy.

LEED Standards Met by the ISE Building

·       Improving energy performance by 20%

·       Enhanced refrigerant management

·       Green power component inside the building

·       75% of demolition materials were recycled

·       10% of construction materials had recycled content

·       20% of construction materials were from regional sources to decrease the carbon footprint

·       Quality of outdoor air is monitored before pumping it into the building

·       Limited use of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)

·       Emits daylight through windows

·       Includes a views out onto the landscape 

·       Has stormwater retention units, a green roof, and regional plantings in courtyards

Due to the University of Delaware's climate commitment, the institution has set the standard of meeting LEED Silver for every new building on campus! Along with the previous list, to ensure energy efficiency, there was a careful selection of materials on the facade of the building as well as on the roof surfaces to try and minimize solar gain and maximize reflectivity. Keeping solar angle in mind, materials used in construction aid in minimizing the amount of interior heating and cooling. In addition, there is a solar panel on the roof of the building.​