Stanford University

Science and Engineering Quad - Stanford, California

Stanford’s new Science and Engineering Quad (SEQ-2) encompasses 8 acres, 553,000 sq.ft., and consists of four new buildings. The first of these four buildings to be constructed is the Jerry Yang and Akiko Yamazaki Environment and Energy Building, known as Y2E2. Stanford’s vision for SEQ-2 is one of academic, social, economic and ecological sustainability. Once completed, SEQ-2 will give many of the University’s science and engineering efforts state-of-the-art new facilities in a desirable campus location that more cohesively links the western side of the campus with the Main Quad.

The 166,500 sq.ft. interdisciplinary Y2E2 Building consists of three-stories plus a basement. It contains wet and dry laboratories, classrooms, offices and associated support spaces. The Y2E2 facility was designed to meet a LEED or Labs 21 platinum level of performance. Stanford President John L. Hennessy stated in his annual letter to the alumni, "The Y2E2 building raises Stanford’s commitment to environmentally sustainable design to new levels. We are incorporating the information we learned from the design of Y2E2 in other buildings to support a sustainable campus."

• PM Greene Engineers designed the on-site water treatment plant and site piping system for Stanford’s new Central Energy Facility. The CEF will help support SEQ-2’s recycled water needs. In an effort to sustain itself within the natural limits of its environment, and to contribute to the conservation of potable water resources, this recycled water was piped into the Y2E2 building for use as gray water. The reduction of potable water use for this building is projected to be 30%.
• In addition to recycled water use, low water consumption water closets (1.28 gallons per flush) and urinals (1/8 gallons per flush) were installed, as well as one waterless urinal in each men’s toilet room.
• The Lab piping systems included compressed air, lab vacuum, natural gas, DI water and industrial waste.

"Not only will the new science and engineering quad provide modern facilities for many of our science and engineering departments, it will also be one of the most prominent architectural features of the campus," said Board of Trustees Chair Burton McMurtry.