Building Systems

Exterior of a two-story, glass-walled building surrounded by vegetation
Photo credit: Courtesy of Oberlin College

A key component of sustainability is divesting from fossil fuels as our main source of energy.  Sustainability also encompasses conservative resource use, care for our natural environment, education and social equity.  The AJLC aims to reinforce all these parameters of sustainability in systems integrated into the building.  

Photovoltaic Systems

A deeper look into the photovoltaic systems that generate more than 100% of the center's electricity.

Photovoltaic Systems

Landscape

The landscape features a variety of constructed ecosystems that simulate native northern Ohio ecosystems and incorporates cultigens that produce food for humans.

Landscape

Living Machine

The Living Machine mimics natural wetlands to filter and recycle the center's wastewater.

Living Machine

Materials

Materials for the AJLC were selected to enhance its sustainability, which presented a variety of challenges.

Materials