By: Samarah Hiba
Explore how the University of Wisconsin-Madison is creating its future with green architectural projects and a commitment to sustainability.
UW-Madison’s “not-so-secret” master plan—because who doesn’t love a good surprise that everyone already knows about—involves building shiny, new, state-of-the-art architecture and giving outdated buildings the boot, all with sustainability as a key driver.
Several prominent projects are already underway, like the construction at 1410 Engineering Drive, while other areas of focus, such as the Mosse Humanities Building, are planned for the coming years. These developments represent a bold commitment to enhancing academic spaces while minimizing environmental impact.
The future of UW-Madison is rooted in sustainable architecture and green technology. Solar panels, green roofs, rainwater harvesting systems, and energy-efficient designs will soon become a staple of UW-Madison’s campus.
Older buildings, such as Van Hise Hall and the 1410 Engineering Drive building, will be replaced by energy-efficient facilities built to achieve at least LEED Silver certification, the baseline for green building initiatives.
However, as Nathan Jandl, Associate Director at UW–Madison’s Office of Sustainability, explains, the focus is not solely on new buildings. “Even though historic buildings may not be as energy-efficient, they can be substantially improved through updated lighting, plumbing, and other measures,” he says, highlighting the university’s efforts to reduce emissions without “wasting” the carbon already released during a building’s original construction.
Their main goal is to update aging infrastructure and preserve its natural beauty by integrating Madison’s lakeside setting into the campus and reducing existing building energy use.
Buildings like the new Morgridge Hall are aiming for LEED Platinum certification, while the Lakeshore Nature Preserve Frautschi Center will seek certification as the state’s first Living Building—a comprehensive approach to sustainability. According to Tod Pritchard’s article from UW-Madison News, “It is set to [be] the first net-positive energy building on UW’s campus, meaning it will produce more energy than it consumes.”
Walkable green spaces and bike-friendly pathways are increasingly integral to UW-Madison’s layout. “The university was recertified as a platinum-rated Bike Friendly University,” Jandl says. The university has continued to promote biking on campus, as described by Lauren Hawley of UW-Madison News: “Since receiving our Platinum Bike University status in 2019, we have added approximately 3,000 more bike parking spaces to our inventory, bringing the total to 16,540 spaces.”
Solar-powered bus shelters and real-time bus arrival screens on East Campus Mall underscore the university’s emphasis on environmentally friendly commuting. According to the manufacturer of the Rapid A buses, “a zero-emission bus can reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 135 metric tons.”
Stacey Chen, a student who has taken the newly made Rapid A bus says, “It’s definitely a lot smoother and quieter than every other bus on the campus.”
According to a 2023 survey by Transportation Services, 60 percent of students use the bus during bad weather; this frequent use makes it crucial for these buses to be as environmentally friendly as possible.
Sustainability at UW-Madison is not just about infrastructure but is also deeply embedded in the daily lives of students and faculty. The university has begun to explore decarbonizing its heating and cooling system, addressing the goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2048.
“The newly installed AC system in Dejope Residence Hall has proven to be quite useful and should be implemented in every other dormitory,” says Alyssa Lam, an undergraduate at UW-Madison. “The use of natural light, sustainable materials, the bike parking spaces, and even the bird-friendly windows make Dejope feel more modern and in tune with the environment. … It’s not just a place to live; it’s an example of where UW-Madison is heading with sustainability.”
Fifty years from now, the University of Wisconsin-Madison will undoubtedly be remarkably transformed. The blend of new and old, for the purpose of sustainability, will create a campus that remains both timeless and futuristic—a symbol of progress in an ever-changing world.