Exciting news!  The Oregon University System has issued a news brief announcing the completion of Oh planning+design’s latest completed project: Oregon State University’s Energy Center.

OSU’s Energy Center is on track to become the first power facility to ever be rated LEED Platinum by the United States Green Building Council.  The Energy Center replaces the University’s 100 year old steam boiler plant and its five antiquated boilers (only three of which were actually functioning) with two high-efficiency turbines and two new boilers.

The new system will generate half of the University’s needed electricity and capture the waste-heat generated in the process, turning it into steam heat for the campus…an innovative way of reducing both the University’s energy bill and carbon footprint in one fell swoop.  Just another example of how our design approach can reduce the impact of the built environment on the planet and help humanity live in balance with nature…and turn out a nice little building at the same time!

Read more about the Energy Center’s other sustainable design features in the full announcement right here.