Unprecedented support and more than a decade of planning allowed De Anza College to build a unique and environmentally conscious building last fall, making De Anza the first college campus in California to have a functional "green" building capable of hosting classes and educating by example.

The Kirsch Center for Environmental Studies has many impressive features.

The technology, borrowed and inspired by other green buildings, ranges from on-site electricity generating solar panels, waterless urinals that save 48,000 gallons annually and an open construction which allows students to view and understand the components of the building.

"It is definitely a first," said Pat Cornely, executive director of the Kirsch Center. "We want to set a standard for future projects here at De Anza and elsewhere."

The 22,000 square foot, two story building is the classroom of the future.

Dozens of windows and huge glass doors give the impression of entering a barn or hanger instead of an enclosed structure.

"You don’t feel separated from the outside. Most classes should be like this," said Mayko Totsuka, environmental studies student. The bottom floor houses classrooms, an impressive video lecture area, and a lecture hall capable of hosting more than 100 students. The second floor hosts faculty offices as well as a large study area and a library that allows students to check out materials for their environmental studies courses. The library is lit entirely with natural sunlight through enormous bay windows.

Cornely has been involved in every step of the building process. While attending De Anza in 1992, she took an environmental studies course from Julie Phillips, a member of the original building committee, and insisted on becoming involved.

Cornely admits it has been a long process and attributes success to the collective efforts of more than a hundred people who believed in the building’s construction.

"It’s unique not only on what we built, but how it was built – everyone who was a part of it had a say in what we did," said Cornely. "We want to be an example and show people it can be done this way."

The new Environmental Center sets a standard of efficiency and collaborative planning. As of this month, the building meets the requirements to be rated as a Silver Certified Sustainable Building, and according to Cornely, will attain Gold Certification before it’s finished.

The Kirsch Center offers benefits to students through its curriculum as well as the inspiration it brings.

The center embodies new ideas, innovation and civic responsibility, but only a handful of students have yet to take a visit, most of whom are attending the variety of classes available at the center.

The building hosts classes in all areas, from Mathematics to Environmental Sciences.

"Students should recognize the thought and planning. It is for them, for everyone, and it could be applied anywhere in everyday life," said Nichole Chaney, a former De Anza student, who came back because she wanted to be a part of what was happening. For more info about the Kirsch Center, visit http://www.deanza.edu/kirschcenter/.