OzU CAMPUS ADJOINS FOREST

Özyeğin University’s new campus under construction in Çekmeköy to open its doors in July 2011 will be nested in the nature. With the newly purchased 18 decares of land, the OzU campus now adjoins the forest. Ozyegin University Rector Erhan Erkut said: “This new parcel of land is extremely valuable for us as we are now adjacent to the forest and that gives us a larger area for planning. The center of the campus has changed and now we have a big nice quad. Before our land was narrow and thin. However with the newly added piece of land, I have no doubt that we will have a magnificent campus.”

Located on the route of the new bridge to be built on the Bosphorus strait, Özyeğin University’s new campus will be adorned with academic buildings, research labs, student residence halls, the student center, social spaces and sport areas. An academic building and the student center will be the first phase of the new campus. From the 2011-2012 academic year on, Ozyegin University’s undergraduate students will be pursuing their studies on the new campus. Shuttle buses will provide continous transportation between Altunizade campus and student residence halls. Özyeğin University’s Schol of English Language Instruction, MBA and EMBA programs as well as the accelerator will remain at Altunizade campus.

Özyeğin University's new campus is designed by RMJM, the designer of the leading world universities' campuses and buildings. Among other projects completed by the RMJM group are Columbia University's Medical Center, Cambridge University's William Gates Building, Princeton University's Bowen Building, Oxford University's Chemistry Research Building, and Ayr Campus of the University of West Scotland. Light and transparency are defining characteristics of Özyeğin University's Çekmeköy campus buildings, which focus on the use of natural materials. Built with flexibility and modularity in mind, the campus will serve as a model for sustanability through its economy of resources and operational costs.

To watch the construction of the Özyeğin University’s Çekmeköy campus live, please click here.
To watch the 3D video of campus, please click here.

Green Campus: Ozyegin University’s Campus to Be First Turkish Campus with LEED Certificate  

Özyeğin University’s Çekmeköy campus will be the first Turkish campus with a LEED certificate, an internationally recognized certification systems for green buildings. Launched in 1998, LEED is a certification developed for green buildings by the United States Green Building Council, USGBC.  In order to become certified, Özyeğin University will need to meet the following requirements at its new campus:

• On the building land, careful attention will be paid to preserve the natural habitat both during and after the contruction. The ratio of vegetated space will be over 50% on the site.
• To minimize the burden of construction on infrastructure and especially on the storm water system, firm surfaces will be kept at a minimum and instead pervious pavers will be used as much as possible. Furthermore storm water accumulated on the roof and other impermeable surfaces will be stored and reused.
• By enabling public transportation around the building and campus area, the use of personal vehicles will be minimized.
• The heat island effect will be minimized by vegetated green roofs.
• In order to encourage the use of hybrid and low-emission vehicles which are less harmful to the environment, special parking spaces will be allocated for these cars.
• By reusing the grey water collected from sinks to flush the toilets, substantial water saving benefits will be achieved.
• All energy consuming systems within the building will be audited in accord with the procedures set forth by LEED.
• Energy efficiency will be a key consideration for lighting and mechanical systems used within the building.
• Energy consumption of all systems within the building will be monitored via energy analyzers and intelligent building automation systems.
• Environmentally friendly coolants will be used for the cooling systems within the scope of the project.
• A comprehensive waste management plan will be prepared for the purpose of recycling recoverable waste materials generated during construction.
• Careful attention will be paid to use a certain amount of local construction materials with at least 20 per cent recycled content.
• For indoors, construction chemicals with the lowest VOC content, which is harmful to human health, will be preferred.
• The health and comfort of users will be a key priority. It is aimed to increase energy efficiency by fostering individual control in heating and lighting systems.
• The design of the buildings will make maximum use of sunlight.