What is the HRES Sustainable Buildings Program?
Harvard Real Estate Services (HRES) manages approximately 150 buildings, almost one third of Harvard University's building portfolio. HRES is also a central administration unit that has a wide range of responsibilities as a service provider to faculties within the University. HRES therefore has an important role to play as a university leader in sustainable building maintenance and operations.
Program Overview
In 2001 Harvard Real Estate Services (HRES) entered into a working partnership with the Harvard Green Campus Initiative (HGCI) to assess the feasibility and value of high performance building design and operations within the Harvard context. Over time this partnership has grown into a robust program with full departmental engagement, resulting in HRES becoming a model for other entities within the University.
Currently, HRES funds the HGCI to coordinate the Sustainable Buildings Program and to provide a wide range of services including:
- Building performance assessments
- Sustainable building design expertise
- LEED certification support
- Project management support for building efficiency upgrades
- Contract language, guidelines and standards for green building design, procurement and operations
- Environmental procurement research
- Green Campus Loan Funding
- Training and education for high performance building design and operations
The Program has enabled HRES to achieve significant financial and environmental returns. HRES staff have expressed that the program has enriched their own professional development and experience while enhancing the departments reputation with clients and neighbors.