Carbon Positive Building

Adam Joseph Lewis Center for Environmental Studies, Oberlin College,
Oberlin, Ohio

Described by the New York Times as “the most remarkable of a new generation of college buildings,” the Adam Joseph Lewis Center for Environmental Studies at Oberlin College operates on three fundamental principles of nature: eliminate the concept of waste, rely on natural energy flows and respect diversity. The Center was the first commercial building to be Verified Zero Energy by the New Buildings Institute.

The building features a 45 kw roof-mounted photovoltaic array installed during the original construction, as well as a 100 kw array installed over the parking lot in 2006. This addition led to the site becoming a net energy exporter, producing 30 percent more energy than it needs to operate and sharing this excess energy with the community. An integration of natural energy flows and the building’s energy needs, its use as a teaching and public space, and the desire to blur the distinction between indoors and out inspires the Center’s disposition.