Sustainable Buildings

For all new buildings and major renovations on campus, a team of architects, engineers, and technical staff review the drawings and specifications to ensure each project meets MTSU’s standards. As part of this process, the design firm and MTSU personnel confirm that the project complies with the State of Tennessee’s High Performance Building Requirements (HPBr). Established in 2015, the HPBr applies to all new state buildings, additions, and major renovations. It ensures that projects incorporate high-performance principles in design, construction, and operations. These requirements address land management, water efficiency, energy efficiency, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, and innovation in design and construction.

Along with the HPBr, MTSU ensures that all capital projects meet campus standards and follow the Owner Project Requirements (OPR). Although the OPR is required by the HPBr, MTSU has tailored it to emphasize maintainability in new construction. These campus standards extend beyond the HPBr to ensure that buildings are designed to be both maintainable and sustainable. Key considerations include ease of maintenance, flood protection, and freeze mitigation. Together, these elements support the long-term performance of buildings and their utilities.