"The US Green Building Council views this opening as a landmark event, featuring a model demonstration site for sustainable construction. Bren Hall is one of the first buildings in America to achieve the Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEEDTM) rating from the council. It will be one of the greenest buildings in the nation." --Christine Ervin    President & CEO    United States Green Building Council    April 19, 2002    Grand Opening, Bren Hall
Kermit The Frog introduces Christine Ervin  in his keynote speech at the Bren Hall Grand Opening.

Bren Hall is a highly visible symbol of the foundation upon which the School is built: a partnership of leaders, visionaries, and scholars. It has become a national symbol of sustainable design, exemplifying the convergence of equity, ecology, and economy.

We invite individuals, foundations, and corporations who share our commitment to these ideals to play a significant role by naming and endowing key spaces in the building.

Endowments ensure in perpetuity that the School will be able to attract the finest scholars, and support them in leading-edge teaching and research in the most sophisticated green environment in academia.

The Bren School of Environmental Science and Management is grateful for all charitable gifts, and honors leading donors who provide major support for student, faculty, programmatic, and capital needs. One significant way to pay tribute to our most generous supporters is to name the benefited program or facility for the donor.

Below are floor plans and descriptions of key educational and interactive spaces that can be endowed.

Bren Hall Floor Plans and Key Spaces

1. Biogeochemistry Teaching Laboratory (#2015):

This 950-square-foot laboratory on the second floor supports the Bren School's unique interdisciplinary curriculum in biology, geology, and chemistry. Leading-edge analytical instrumentation includes chromatographs, spectrophotometers, and field meters, as well as measuring and field sampling equipment -- all of which enable innovative and advanced research techniques for graduate students. This laboratory supports the teaching and research of Professors John Melack, Patricia Holden, and Arturo Keller.

2. GIS/Computing Teaching Laboratory (#3035):

This 950-square-foot laboratory on the third floor supports the Bren curriculum in computational modeling, geographic information systems, and environmental information management. Thirty two high-end GIS workstations with advanced graphics, visualization, and processing capabilities share access to large-format, high-resolution color printers and scanners. For AV needs, the room has screens, projectors, DVD, VCR, audio inputs, a computer, and a podium, as well as an internet connection.

3. Watershed Science Teaching Laboratory (#1027): This first floor 950-square-foot laboratory serves as the primary staging area for field investigation, experimentation, and analysis for scientific research and teaching in hydrology, meteorology, physical limnology, and oceanography. State-of-the-art technology and instrumentation support the innovative and advanced research techniques for graduate students.

4. Colloquium Room (#1414):

This 1,785-square-foot lecture theater/multi-media room located on the first floor of Bren Hall features stadium-style seating for 100 and state-of-the-art distance-learning capabilities. It is the primary teaching space for environmental economics, business, law, and policy education.

5. Student Computing Facility (SCF):

This 882-square-foot room located on the third floor is the main computational facility for the Master's program. Lab sections are also held in this space to complement the core curriculum. This room provides 41 computers, color and black and white printers, and a flatbed scanner. The computers in the lab, which carry a wide variety of software packages -- including Microsoft Office 2000 Premium, statistical packages, modeling packages, GIS packages, and scientific visualization packages -- are currently on a two-year replacement schedule, with half of the systems rotated out on an annual basis, to ensure that the SCF remains at the top of the technology curve.

6. Davidson Student Commons (#3330): TAKEN

Located on the third floor of Bren Hall, this 880-square-foot commons room has large, east-facing windows that look into the courtyard below. Recycled and sustainable materials comprise the casework and furnishings, energy-efficient lighting is used throughout, and the built-in artwork is made from recycled materials. The primary function of the commons is to serve as a resource for Bren School master's students working on their Group Projects. Nine individual workstations adjacent to informal study and lounge areas comprise a venue well-suited to both research and team collaboration. This Commons has been named and endowed with a gift of $300,000 from UCSB alumnus Jim Davidson '90.

7. Reading Room (#3317): This 477-square-foot room is located on the third floor. It houses journals and publications relevant to the teaching and research programs at the Bren School, as well as Bren students’ final thesis documents. It provides a quiet study space for students, staff, and faculty.

8. Seminar Room (#1424): Located on the first floor next to the Colloquium Room, this 1,293-square-foot space accommodates approximately 70 people and is used for special lectures and symposia. Its projection screens and audio-visual equipment also permit simulcast presentations occurring in the Colloquium Room for additional numbers of people.

9. Sycamore Conference Room (#1510): This 506-square-foot room is located on the first floor of Bren Hall just off the central courtyard. Up to 22 people can be accommodated around its center table. It has a motorized screen, data projector, DVD, VCR, audio inputs, a computer, a podium and an internet connection. This room serves corporate partners, students, and faculty for meetings and presentations, as well as teaching space for graduate students and executive programs.

10. Oak Conference Room (#1520): This first floor 360 sq. ft. conference room serves corporate partners, students, and faculty for meetings and presentations, as well as teaching space for graduate students and executive programs.

11. Dean's Conference Room (#2436): This 560-square-foot conference room located on the second floor adjacent to the dean’s suite of offices serves corporate partners, faculty, staff, and students for meetings and presentations. Glass doors open onto the Dean's Terrace just outside, which overlooks the Pacific Ocean (see 15, below). The conference room can seat 20-30 people in a horseshoe configuration; flexible table design allows for other configurations as well. The room has a motorized screen, data projector, DVD, VCR, a computer, a podium, audio inputs, and an internet connection.

12. Visitor's Center: Located on the first floor in a 584-square-foot gathering space, the Visitors Center is the dedicated starting point for all tours of the building. It features large posters that provide information on the design and construction of Bren Hall, and printed materials about the School and its programs are also available. Visitors can take self-guided or scheduled guided tours by trained students, staff, and volunteers. The Visitor Center is an informal area in which to gather for receptions before and after special events in the Colloquium and Seminar Rooms or on the Dean's Terrace.

13. Executive Offices: Located on the second floor, this suite of 10 offices, kitchen, and reception area include the Dean's office and conference room (see 11, above). (Additional administrative offices are located along the north side of the second floor.)

14. Central Courtyard: Conference, class, and meeting rooms open out into this 5,727-square-foot open-air courtyard. It has planters and benches, and provides a pleasant, light-filled natural setting for studying or interaction. The courtyard is also a wonderful venue for receptions or meals for large groups convening for conferences.

15. Deckers Outdoor Corporation Terrace: TAKEN  Located on the second floor overlooking the Pacific Ocean, this 1,545-square-foot patio terrace adjacent to the suite of offices offers a spectacular venue for events and interaction. The terrace can accommodate up to 80 people, using 10 round tables that seat eight each for meals.

16. Interaction Area (#3328): This third floor combination interior/exterior gathering space located between the Davidson Student Commons and the Reading Room is a hub for informal meetings between faculty and students. The large glass wall between the spaces provides wonderful natural lighting; the terrace overlooks the courtyard below.

17. Interaction Deck: This spacious third floor terrace, facing the Interaction Area, overlooks the central courtyard and, with its planters and benches, provides casual outdoor space for interaction.

18. 2nd Floor Ocean View Bridge (NE)

19. 2nd Floor Campus View Bridge (N)

20. 2nd Floor Ocean View Bridge (S)

21. 3rd Floor Ocean View Bridge (NE)

22. 2nd Floor Exterior Contemplation Alcove

23. 2nd Floor Exterior Contemplation Alcove

24. 2nd Floor Exterior Contemplation Alcove