SUNY System Advances Toward Sustainability Goals with Old Westbury Campus Project
By Fay Harvey
OLD WESTBURY, N.Y. — New York State Gov. Kathy Hochul recently announced a $100.2 million state investment towards transforming the 1980s-era Natural Sciences Building on the State of New York University (SUNY) Old Westbury campus. The three-phase project will bring the SUNY system one step closer to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across its collegiate network.
The project will modernize the Natural Sciences Building through a new temperature-regulating geothermal system, energy-efficient glazing, external sunshades, low-flume hoods and a green roof. Home to major STEM programs such as biological sciences, the second-largest program by enrollment at Old Westbury, the revitalized building will also offer state-of-the-art teaching laboratories, a greenhouse and teaching garden, and numerous instruction and collaboration spaces.
“Thanks to the substantial state investment secured by Gov. Hochul, this project represents a significant transformation for the Natural Sciences Building, which was built over four decades ago,” said John B. King Jr., SUNY chancellor, in a statement. “With 40% of state-owned buildings, SUNY has the ability to help achieve Gov. Hochul’s ambitious climate goals through exciting projects like this one.”
The Natural Science Building project will be completed across three phases. According to a statement by SUNY Old Westbury, the first phase will focus on replacing outdated laboratory spaces, relocating specialized research equipment and creating surge space to lay the groundwork for the modernization and expansion. Phase II will focus on the construction of 20,000 new square feet of academic space, while Phase III will include additional interior renovations and exterior rehabilitation, transforming the Natural Sciences Building into a state-of-the-art education and research facility. Phase I is estimated at $100.2 million, while Phases II and III will bring the total project cost to $200 million. Work on Phase I, which commenced on Feb. 5 with a groundbreaking celebration, should be completed in 2028.
“We are proud that this building, once complete, will exceed the goals SUNY has set for us when it comes to energy and carbon reduction,” said Timothy E. Sams, Old Westbury president, in a statement. “As our campus mission demands of us, we will focus on environmental sustainability throughout the course of this work and in the years ahead as we create a facility that will prepare students for work in hospitals, laboratories, wind and chip manufacturing, public health, and more that are so vital to their own and New York’s success.”
The renovation and deep energy retrofit project is part of the system’s net-zero Climate and Sustainability Action Plan, which aims to decarbonize the SUNY system—impacting 64 schools and an estimated 1.3 million students. In addition to lowering systemwide emissions, the plan will also increase research opportunities and expand green workforce development efforts. Further, it defines actions related to campus and building operations and capital project development to design for resiliency. The plan was developed by the 53-person SUNY Sustainability Advisory Council and includes insights from campus sustainability leaders and public feedback.