“The completion of the expansion has provided our students and the college with much-needed space, technologically modern classrooms and a healthy environment in which to study and work,” said Beth Bilson, acting dean of the College of Law. “With the tremendous efforts of our partners, Stantec Architecture, PCL Construction, Integrated Design Inc., Ritenburg & Associates Ltd., and the U of S’s Facilities Management Division, we accomplished this while protecting the environment both during the building phase and in ongoing maintenance and operations. We are pleased to celebrate this achievement with our partners and guests today.”

The college’s expansion was the second project in the province to meet LEED’s gold status requirements, and the first on the university campus to meet LEED standards. The university continues to be committed to sustainable building practices in all of its capital projects.

Compared to a similar-sized conventional building, water use in the new law expansion is 47 per cent lower and overall energy use is 57 per cent lower. Over 32 per cent recycled materials were used in the construction and furnishings, and 91 per cent of construction waste was recycled. A key feature is two living roofs that cover 60 per cent of the building, reducing water runoff and winter heating and summer cooling costs, while extending the life of the roof to 50 years from about 20-25 years for conventional roofing.

A healthier environment for occupants was achieved through a displacement ventilation system that provides 100 per cent outdoor air and natural light throughout 75 per cent of the new space, resulting in better air quality and less white noise. The outside air is not heated because there is a radiant heating system. The building also benefits from passive solar heat.

Greenlegal is a student organization at the college for those interested in environmental law.

In Canada, LEED standards are promoted by the Canada Green Building Council.

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For more information, contact:

Katherine Blau, Advancement Officer
College of Law
University of Saskatchewan
Tel: (306) 966-1062
Email: katherine.blau@usask.ca

Teri Rosenfelt, Communications Co-ordinator
University Communications
University of Saskatchewan
Tel: (306) 966-5659
Email: teri.rosenfelt@usask.ca