On October 7, 2009, Belmont University announced the launch of a College of Law. It was going to be the first new law school in Tennessee in nearly a century. The 71,000 SF Randall and Sadie Baskin Center was designed to be the home of the new law school. Construction of Belmont University’s Baskin Center was completed in 2012.

The Baskin Center blends the traditional architectural palette of Belmont’s campus with a stately four-sided articulation reminiscent of historic courthouses across the South. It sits atop a five-level underground parking garage with 520 spaces. This three-story facility contains a dozen classrooms, a trial courtroom, an appellate courtroom, a law library, and more than 20 faculty offices.

In keeping with Belmont University’s commitment to environmental sustainability, the Baskin Center features a number sustainable elements. As a result The Baskin Center is projected to save nearly 27% (or about $50,000 per year) in energy costs compared to a code-compliant building. Some of the building sustainable features include:

-All of the site’s irrigation is provided from non-potable water

-Interior plumbing fixtures are expected to save over 165,000 gallons of water each year compared to code compliant fixtures

-A geothermal system is used to provide stable temperature pre-heating and cooling for the HVAC system

-Motion-activated LED lighting systems are used to conserve energy when rooms are not in use

-Low volatile organic compound paints, adhesives, sealants, and flooring products were used to reduce occupant exposure to chemicals

-A comprehensive recycling program was implemented during the construction process; as a result, over 75% of construction waste was diverted from landfills

-Generous daylighting

-Built-in car charging stations

-Dedicated parking spots for fuel-efficient vehicles and carpool vehicles