Concordia University is opening a new downtown building that's being touted as a state-of-the-art green facility.
The MB building at the corner of Guy and de Maisonneuve, part of the John Molson School of Business, boasts environmentally-friendly materials and large solar panels.
There are also low-flow taps and toilets and direct access to the Guy metro station.
Classrooms feature lots of light and bright colors such as apple green and turquoise instead of the usual beige and grey. It's believed that bright colours can stimulate the learning environment.
Solar wall
The so-called "solar wall" near the top of the MB building is a particular source of pride for Sanjay Sharma, dean of the business school.
"It's going to generate 33 kilowatts of energy and heat," Sharma told CTV News on Friday. "There are times when we will have a surplus of electricity to feed back into the grid."
Sharma said there are plans to eventually install a " green roof" that would include a community garden.
Concordia says the MB building came in $2 million under budget, costing a total of $118 million.
