PORTLAND – Basking in the warm heat of a greenhouse, blown around by giant fans, little seedlings quickly mature into grown plants.

By design, greenhouses are built to trap heat and keep it inside. However, a new greenhouse on the Portland State University campus does it better than just about any other.

“We paid a little bit more to get better heat retention,” said Francis McBride, greenhouse construction project manager.

Keeping the heat in translates into spending less energy to heat up the greenhouse.

McBride points out energy efficient features such as lights that shut off automatically, a restroom that uses less water, a boiler system that uses less electricity and other elements such as certified sustainable wood.

Traditional greenhouses are often built with glass, but this one is made of polycarbonate, a plastic, that does a better job of retaining heat.

On the outside, the greenhouse has an enhanced storm water management system, which absorbs rain water runoff before it enters the sewer system.

The U.S. Green Building Council is taking notice. It recently awarded the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design’s (LEED) silver award to PSU greenhouse, believed to be a first for a greenhouse.

“It means that we are very conscious of energy usage and energy issues,” said McBride.

Environmentally friendly construction designs cost about 5 percent more than traditional methods. McBride said the PSU greenhouse cost about $200,000.

Portland State University’s sustainability coordinator said the greenhouse represents a new way of campus construction and learning style for students.

“If we’re demonstrating best practices on our campus, our students can learn from it,” said Noelle Studer.

The idea is while students research plants they will also be able to learn about the environment.

State regulations require new campus buildings to be 30 percent more efficient than standard buildings. Future buildings on campus, including the new recreation center and business school, will also incorporate LEED design elements, according to Studer.