Sustainability Innovation Award

The United States Green Building Council’s Los Angeles Chapter (USGBC-LA) awarded The Collins College of Hospitality Management with the Sustainability Innovation Award in the category of Health and Well-being for its LEED Gold-certified academic building. The award assesses the achievements of a building project based on sustainable approaches that surpass the LEED certification criteria. Jurors determined that the project went above and beyond the standardized rating system and code requirements, and exhibited excellence in design and construction.

Completed in 2015, the 12,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility consists of lecture rooms swathed in natural light, graduate instructional support rooms equipped with the latest technology, a student commons, a grab and go café, five offices for graduate faculty members, a conference room, and two group study rooms. In addition, the facility features heat-reflecting windows, energy-efficient mechanical systems, drought-tolerant landscaping and LED lighting throughout the complex.

“We are truly honored and exhilarated to have been selected,” said Project Manager Andrew Naranjo. “It signifies another major milestone accomplished in this project by further validating the sustainability commitment that The Collins College of Hospitality Management continues to make to the campus community.”

The project and construction team, consisting of The Collins College of Hospitality Management, Cal Poly Pomona Facilities Planning, Design and Construction, HMC Architects, Gilbane Construction and GLUMAC,
were recognized at the USGBC-LA’s 13th Annual Green Gala last November. The prestigious industry event draws more than 500 of the region’s green building leaders.

“The Collins College puts its students’ health and well-being at the forefront of all of its efforts,” said Dean Lea Dopson. “We are dedicated to continuously improving our high-tech and sustainable learning environment for students to thrive.”