UM Morris Research Center

University of Minnesota

University of Minnesota’s West Central Research and Outreach Center expanded their administrative facility to include the Renewable Energy Center. The Center conducts research and education to instill renewable energy practices into public practice. The goal of the facility was to become a living experiment for green building practices and renewable energy research. Some of the green features of the facility include high performance ventilation and monitoring, primary reliance on wind energy, and high-energy conserving construction techniques.

The WCROC demonstrates ways to incorporate green building methods into a work environment for a reasonable cost. The work environment includes a blend of indoor and outdoor spaces which connect the occupants with nature and the mission of the agricultural research station. The WCROC administration building also aspired to be one of the first opportunities to employ the new Minnesota Sustainable Building Guidelines on a remodel of a state facility of this size.