Two Universities in Northwest To Establish Green Building Research Divisions

Environmentalism is not just an ideal -- in this country, at least, it's becoming a huge industry as well. Several schools are taking distinct notice of this and working it into their curriculum, most recently Oregon State University and Portland State University, pooling together $1.6 million to fund green building research programs for each of the two schools. With the help of Oregon's Built Environment and Sustainable Technologies Center (Oregon BEST), the schools plan to build research centers that will give architecture and engineering students superior training in LEED standards and cutting edge green innovations.

The funding will establish the Oregon BEST Green Building Research Laboratory at PSU, where researchers from other OUS institutions and industry can use a suite of infrared cameras and thermal characterization equipment to test everything from green roofs and window glazings to interior moisture levels and building directories. When the equipment is used in conjunction with other federally funded research projects, it will facilitate a broader investigation of the impact of buildings on the urban environment.

Oregon BEST has the goal of increasing research and accelerating public and private partnerships to transform that research into on-the-ground business opportunities and Oregon jobs. Oregon BEST partners include the Oregon Institute of Technology, Oregon State University, Portland State University, the University of Oregon, as well as numerous private businesses, government agencies and non-governmental organizations.
This heavy approach to green research at these two public universities could spell good things for other public universities, perhaps prompting more to open similar centers in the near future. Such promise can only be beneficial, as the interest in and necessity of environmental alternatives grows over the coming years.