Building Materials for Sustainability

In the burgeoning green building sector, Oregon is poised to become a national leader. A new R&D partnership forged with cross-university linkages positions the state as a major powerhouse in 
sustainable materials, technologies and designs.

Oregon BEST (Built Environment and Sustainable Technologies Center) has pulled together $1.6 million in multi-source funding to infuse and expand research efforts under way at Oregon State and Portland State universities. OSU will create a green building materials lab, where engineers and forestry scientists will work on projects such as super-strong hybrid poplar, environmentally friendly concrete and recycled-plastic insulation. PSU’s new green building research lab will draw researchers from across the state to use infrared cameras and thermal-characterization equipment to test building features such as green roofs, window glazing, interior moisture levels and surface temperatures.

The new partnership will put Oregon on track for a federally funded research center down the road, experts predict.

“By collaborating between campuses,” says Scott Ashford, head of the OSU School of Civil and Construction Engineering, “Oregon becomes a force to be reckoned with in the green building sector.”

For more information:

Oregon BEST Facilitates $1.6 Million Investment in Green Building Research, 3-12-09

Oregon’s Green Building Community Sets Sights on National Research Center, 2-20-09

To support OSU’s green building research program, contact the OSU Foundation