Under the leadership of former president Gary Russi, Oakland University established its $62 million Human Health Building, which houses the School of Nursing and School of Health Sciences. Spanning 172,000 square feet, the building features an energy-efficient design using solar panels, geothermal wells, and a variable refrigerant heat pump system. This has allowed the building to become the only LEED Platinum higher education facility in Michigan, and it won a 2014 Construction and Design Award for its innovative sustainable design that saves over 35% in annual energy costs.

1. OAKLAND UNIVERSITY’S
HUMAN HEALTH BUILDING
WINS DESIGN AWARD
Gary Russi

2. OAKLAND UNIVERSITY’S HUMAN HEALTH
BUILDING WINS DESIGN AWARD
 The former president of Oakland University, Gary Russi, PhD, left a
lasting mark on the institution prior to his retirement in 2013. Under
the leadership of Gary Russi, PhD, the university extended its
program offerings to include more than 65 academic degrees,
launched the William Beaumont School of Medicine, dedicated
over $400 million to enhancing educational and living initiatives,
and developed a new Recreation and Athletics Center. In
addition, his tenure included the establishment of the Human
Health Building.

3. OAKLAND UNIVERSITY’S HUMAN HEALTH
BUILDING WINS DESIGN AWARD
 Spanning 172,000 square feet, Oakland University’s Human Health
Building is home to the School of Nursing and the School of
Health Sciences. The building features an energy-efficient design
that leverages solar panels to keep the infrastructure and its
teaching labs cooled and heated. In addition, 256 geothermal
wells and a variable refrigerant heat pump system were
integrated into the construction of the $62 million facility. As it
stands, the Human Health Building will be the only LEED Platinum
higher education infrastructure in the state of Michigan.

4. OAKLAND UNIVERSITY’S HUMAN HEALTH
BUILDING WINS DESIGN AWARD
 In 2014, the Human Health Building received the Construction
and Design Award, which recognizes designers, owners, and
constructors. Presented by the Engineering Society of Detroit, the
accolade honors innovation and team achievement in the
construction industry. The building displays the integration of
environmentally friendly design as well as forward-thinking use of
engineering approaches that promote sustainability. Further, the
design is estimated to save more than 35 percent in energy
expenses annually.