Tucked away at the back end of the 1st floor hallway, one finds Energy Studies in Buildings Laboratory (ESBL). ESBL is affiliated with the Architecture Department and is made up of graduate students and faculty.

The lab is involved in the design of all new buildings on campus, such as the new Lillis Business Complex. ESBL works with building designers in the initial stages of design to best create an energy efficient building. This is done by inputting an architect's design and using computer simulations to recommend building design changes that would make the building more energy efficient. The lab can conduct these design-assistance programs for architects throughout the Northwest.

The faculty is responsible for teaching and research and for providing technical and practical assistance for campus conservation projects, such as the "Doin' it in the Dark" campaign.

The lab also maintains a web page which reports and graphs hourly campus energy use.