SALT LAKE CITY -- Class looks just a little bit different for law students at the University of Utah, after they moved into a brand new building about a week ago.
Tuesday, U of U celebrated with a grand opening.
One theme brought up throughout the program was the fact that the building focuses on sustainability.
It’s got everything from a special heating and cool system, to LED lighting, radiant floors and bird collision-proof glass.
University President David Pershing said the building is blazing a trail when it comes to sustainability. "The building has been designed to be the second LEED platinum law school in the entire nation," he said.
Eight million of the 62.5 million dollar building went to making sure the structure stands green. Four point five of the eight came from a grant.
Law school Dean Robert Adler said it’ll immediately start paying off.
“Every year we operate this building, we will be saving on electricity.” He said.
The difference is easy to see for students.
"We've got the solar panels on the roof, we have the water bottle dispensers," said second year law student Krystaly Koch.
While the building’s got all the bells and whistles to make it environmentally friendly, the students who use it say the design does even more; it improve their education.
Professors sit in accessible glass offices. Students have more space to study. Huge windows fill the areas with bright light.
It’s those features these future lawyers say makes this more than a school building.
"They wanted to make sure that we did have a home away from home, that it wasn't just going to school. That the law school would be good enough to be our home,” Koch said, adding, “And that’s exactly what it is.”
