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Center for Sustainability
Santa Clara University

Sobrato Campus for Discovery & Innovation

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(Recent picture of SCDI coming soon)

  • Sunlight is accessible throughout the building, reducing our need for artificial lighting. For example, the Innovation Zone boasts 30-foot floor to ceiling windows!
  • Accounting for the input of sunlight and ambient campus temperatures, heating and cooling in the building will be monitored to maximize thermal comfort and minimize energy use.
  • Water runoff from the building is diverted to planting areas to increase the infiltration rate and reduce the impact of stormwater.
  • This building features a 42.5% reduction in water use, compared to a similar conventional building.
  • Sobrato Campus for Discovery and Innovation is located within 1,400 feet of Caltrain's Santa Clara Station and Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) bus stops. Visitors have access to regional public transportation, including CalTrain, Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) buses, and Amtrak. Public transportation is essential to a healthy environment as it reduces congestion, saves gas, and helps to reduce our carbon footprint.
  • Bicycle racks are available outside the building.
  • Windows around the building offer great views of the campus and surrounding neighborhoods, helping to develop a visual connection to the surrounding environment—particularly our urban forest.
  • The part of the roof not covered with tiles is called a cool roof, which reduces the heat island effect and helps to decrease or maintain the ambient temperature of our campus.
  • Paint, coatings, carpet, and composite wood used to construct and furnish the building contain low to no volatile organic compounds (VOCs). 
  • Recycled content, regional materials, and certified wood all help to reduce the Sobrato Campus’ material footprint. 
  • Nearly all cleaning products used in the building will be Eco-Choice labeled.
  • Waste was reduced during construction, and the waste that was produced was managed and disposed of properly.
  • Sobrato Campus for Discovery and Innovation is equipped with standard University recycling, waste, and composting bins. Student work areas have ample recycling and composting capabilities, and students using the building are strongly encouraged to divert their waste from the landfill. 
  • SCU collects plastics #1-7, paper, aluminum, glass, and tin in “recycle” containers, food waste and biodegradable containers in “compost” containers, and whatever else remains in containers labeled “landfill waste.”