2024 USGBC-CA Green Building Awards
Merit in Energy/Operational Carbon
At the heart of this project’s innovation is the creation of a ‘Living Lab,’ a technical education center designed for San Bernardino Community College. This center not only provides education in high-
performance practices but also serves as a dynamic educational tool itself, using its sustainable features as teaching points. The project exemplifies how sustainability can significantly elevate the quality and
well-being of the built environment, benefiting students, faculty, staff, and the wider community. As a leader in the California Community College System, it emphasizes high-performance design while promoting wellness, user experience, and environmental responsibility.
This initiative incorporates multiple visible and demonstrable strategies, including a photovoltaic glass
entry canopy with a direct current power demonstration component, thermal chimneys, solartubes,
modular wetlands, daylight wall systems, and architectural sunshades. These elements, alongside a Sustainability Kiosk in the building’s lobby, display real-time data on energy performance, water usage, and carbon emissions, engaging students and fostering a deeper understanding of sustainability. The building thus becomes an active learning environment where the infrastructure itself informs the users.
The Technical Building Project reflects a strong commitment to environmental stewardship and efficiency, with projected energy savings of 31% below Title 24 standards and annual utility savings of $25,961 anticipated. These achievements underscore the district’s leadership in sustainable design, with the data collected from the project helping to guide future developments. Overall, the ‘Living Lab’ stands as a forward-thinking model for integrating education, sustainability, and high-performance design within the community, utility partners, and beyond.
The San Bernardino Valley College Technical Education Center redefines sustainability and educational excellence within the California Community College system. As part of the district's Net-Zero pilot initiative, this transformative "Living Lab" integrates cutting-edge facilities, student wellness, and enhanced community and industry partnerships.
Key Achievements:
- Expanding Educational Horizons: The new 114,000 SF Technical Education Center at Valley College is a
gateway to new opportunities. It is expanding program offerings leading to professions in Electric Vehicles & Heavy Truck Training, Photovoltaic Education, Water Technology, and other Future Technologies
programs, providing students with cutting-edge skills for tomorrow's workforce and exciting stakeholders about the future of education.
- Sustainable Ecosystem: Unlike its prior location, this facility prioritizes visual, spatial, and educational connectivity, signifying its profound importance to the campus and the community. It fosters a seamless integration of learning environments with the natural surroundings, promoting well-being through abundant natural light and scenic views, reassuring stakeholders about the care for students and
community members.
- Living Lab for Sustainability: The Technical Building Project is a 'Living Lab,' demonstrating efficiency and environmental stewardship. It provides real-time energy, water, and carbon emissions data to the college
district, utility program partners, and students at an interactive lobby display, fostering user understanding
of sustainability and supporting campus studies. Anticipated energy savings of 31% below Title 24 standards and an annual utility savings of $25,961 exemplify its environmental commitment.
- Thermal Chimneys: A set of five solar thermal chimneys within the automotive labs working in conjunction with operable bi-fold doors and high-velocity low-speed fans help to cool and heat the large bay automotive spaces passively. This strategy helps reduce operational energy use and cost and supports strategy goals that improve student wellness by improving ventilation and air quality within the automotive
lab spaces. -These strategies and more help achieve 31% below title 24 and a low EUI of 29 kBtU/SF/YR.
- Holistic Sustainability and Wellness: The Technical Education Center is a holistic embodiment of sustainability and wellness, demonstrating the potential when these two principles are seamlessly integrated. It minimizes environmental impact and
enhances the well-being of those who engage with it daily. This innovative approach to sustainable design and personal well-being sets a new benchmark for the industry.
The San Bernardino Valley College Technical Education Center exemplifies the impact of sustainable design, transformative education, and community engagement, symbolizing a brighter, greener, and more informed future for everyone.