Santa Clara University

Soak up the sun

Residential units in Graham are provided within a relatively small building footprint, which results in over 70 percent of the project site area left as vegetated open space.

Buildings with smaller footprints consume less resources to build and use less energy to heat, cool, and power. An expansive area of vegetated open space also promotes biodiversity and recreation. Residents living in Graham will already use less energy during the year because of the building’s footprint size, but residents should take advantage of the large amount of open space for social and recreational activities.

The US Environmental Protection Agency has more information about how open space enhances the beauty and environmental quality of schools and neighborhoods.

Read more about Site and Materials Conservation in Graham Hall.