Frost Center Wins Merit in Brick Award for Design – Mustang News

Report on the William and Linda Frost Center for Research and Innovation: A Case Study in Sustainable Development

Award Recognition for Sustainable Infrastructure

The William and Linda Frost Center for Research and Innovation at Cal Poly, also known as the SATRC Complex, has received the Merit in Brick award from the California Masonry Architecture Design Awards. This recognition highlights the facility’s exemplary use of masonry and its significant contributions to sustainable building practices, aligning with multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The project’s design, construction, and operational features demonstrate a strong commitment to global sustainability targets. The building serves as a model for integrating environmental responsibility into modern infrastructure, directly supporting the following SDGs:

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
• SDG 13: Climate Action

Key Sustainability Features and SDG Contributions

The award criteria stipulated that the structure must be built within the last five years, incorporate a minimum of 30% concrete masonry units, and be structurally sustainable. The Frost Center’s adherence to these standards is demonstrated through several key features, each contributing to specific SDGs.

1. Water Management (SDG 6): The facility achieves a 50% reduction in water usage through an advanced rainwater capture system. This directly addresses the goal of ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water.
2. Energy Efficiency (SDG 7 & SDG 13): The building incorporates exterior shading fins to reduce solar heat gain, thereby lowering energy consumption for cooling. This design choice promotes energy efficiency and contributes to climate action by minimizing the building’s carbon footprint. The facility’s LEED gold certification further underscores this commitment.
3. Sustainable Materials (SDG 12 & SDG 11): The project prioritized responsible consumption and production patterns through its material selection. This includes:
   • The use of sustainably sourced wood.
   • The use of locally sourced masonry, which reduces transportation emissions and supports local economies, contributing to the development of sustainable communities.

Architectural Strategy for Resilient Infrastructure (SDG 9)

The architectural design was led by ZGF Architects LLP, a firm recognized for its focus on sustainability and regenerative design. The firm’s approach to integrating the natural environment into its designs aligns with the principles of building resilient and innovative infrastructure. The mandated use of at least 30% concrete masonry ensures longevity and durability, key components of sustainable infrastructure as outlined in SDG 9. The California Masonry Council, which conferred the award, advocates for research and technology that advance sustainable masonry, reinforcing the industry’s role in achieving global development goals.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
   • The article explicitly mentions a significant reduction in water consumption through innovative practices, which is a core component of this goal.
2. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
   • The building’s design incorporates features specifically aimed at reducing energy consumption, aligning with the goal’s focus on energy efficiency.
3. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • The article highlights an innovative and sustainable building, the Frost Center, which represents the development of resilient and sustainable infrastructure. The use of regenerative design and achieving LEED Gold certification are examples of upgrading infrastructure to be more sustainable.
4. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The construction of a sustainable building within a university campus contributes to making human settlements more inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. The award recognizes sustainable architectural design, which is key to developing sustainable urban environments.
5. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • This goal is addressed through the use of “sustainably sourced wood” and “locally sourced masonry,” which promotes the efficient use of natural resources and sustainable procurement practices.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 6.4: By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity.
  • The article directly supports this target by stating the building achieves a “50% reduction of water usage by capturing rainfall.”
• Target 7.3: By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency.
  • The building’s design feature of “using exterior shading fins to reduce energy use” is a direct measure to improve energy efficiency, contributing to this target.
• Target 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes.
  • The Frost Center, with its “LEED gold certification” and focus on “sustainability and regenerative design,” exemplifies the upgrading of infrastructure to be sustainable and resource-efficient.
• Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities.
  • The project’s emphasis on “sustainable building practices,” reduced energy and water use, and use of local materials directly contributes to lowering the environmental footprint of the built environment.
• Target 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
  • This target is addressed through the specific mention of using “sustainably sourced wood” and “locally sourced masonry,” which are key practices for the sustainable management of natural resources in construction.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Implied Indicator for Target 6.4: Change in water-use efficiency.
  • The article provides a specific metric: “reducing 50% of water usage.” This figure can be used as a direct indicator of increased water-use efficiency for the building.
• Implied Indicator for Target 7.3: Energy intensity.
  • While a specific number is not given, the mention of “reduc[ing] energy use” through design features like “exterior shading fins” implies a measurable improvement in the building’s energy intensity compared to conventional designs.
• Implied Indicator for Target 9.4: CO2 emission per unit of value added (related to Indicator 9.4.1).
  • The “LEED gold certification” serves as a proxy indicator. LEED certification is a comprehensive framework that includes assessing and minimizing a building’s carbon footprint and energy consumption, thus implying a reduction in CO2 emissions.
• Implied Indicator for Target 12.2: Material footprint (related to Indicator 12.2.1).
  • The conscious choice of “sustainably sourced wood” and “locally sourced masonry” implies a management and reduction of the project’s material footprint by minimizing transportation emissions and ensuring responsible sourcing.

Summary Table

Source: mustangnews.net