Rochester Institute of Technology Golisano Institute for Sustainability

RIT puts technology and innovation to work for a sustainable future.

GIS supports cutting-edge research in nanotechnology, alternative energy development, and pollution prevention. The design build team of SWBR, LeChase Construction, and FXFOWLE, developed the facility’s “Living Lab” concept. A network of high-tech classrooms and labs, support, and collaborative spaces accommodate the Hall’s academic and research programs. Passive design strategies, energy-efficient systems and high-performance facades make the building 56% more efficient than a baseline building and helped reduce its carbon footprint by 61%.

Client: Rochester Institute of Technology
Location: Rochester, NY
Size: 84,000 SF
Complete: 2013
Services: Architecture; Interior Design; Structural Engineering
Sustainability: LEED Platinum NC

Galleria

The central Galleria stair is an element of “active design," more visible and easier to access than elevators, presenting a healthier and less energy intensive choice to building occupants.

Learning Spaces

A variety of classrooms offer writeable walls and excellent daylight without glare.

Decision Theater

An innovative classroom environment that enables students to see a panorama of projection screens including high-end 3D simulations and data sets.

Green Roof

The 3,300 SF combination vegetated green roof and butterfly habitat serves RIT as a cross-curricular education component.

Vegetated Green Wall

The thirty-eight-foot green wall in the Galleria allows occupants to engage and appreciate it from various levels of the building.

Environmental Chemistry

Research here concentrates on assessing the life cycle environmental impacts of high-tech products, with an emphasis on processing them in environmentally responsible ways at the end of their useful lives.

Fuel Test Bed

This is where information about the building’s energy production and use is analyzed, and decisions are made about how to use the available energy sources optimally.