Spring Break
UA Housing plans for 'green' dorms
Pamela Acosta
Issue date: 3/8/07 Section: News
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With the environment and sustainability on many people's minds, housing officials around the nation are building green, including those at the UA.
A "green" building is defined as one that incorporates environmentally friendly design elements that are more water and energy efficient, uses recycled materials, sustainable site-development and indoor environmental quality, according to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design criteria.
Maple Hill residence hall, scheduled to open next fall, will incorporate some of the categories specified by LEED. However, the project acquired 22 of the minimum 26 points for basic LEED certification, said Gary Hume, director of Residential Facilities.
"Because of the fast-track pace of this project, it is unlikely that we will reach the minimum points for any certification," he said.
Housing officials hope phase two of the project, which is scheduled to open in August 2008, will be LEED certified.
The "green" features of Maple Hill are based mostly on the construction. The pavement was salvaged from existing concrete and used for fill rather than excavating another site to bring in dirt. The main structural system is fabricated from recycled steel rather than new mill product, Hume said. The gypsum wallboard used throughout the project is primarily manufactured out of recycled material and post-consumer products. Other green points were earned by UA policies. For example, alternative transportation methods and the density of the campus environment and campus utility systems earned points. Also, the building earned points for the amount of natural light in primary spaces, which reduces energy load and improves the living environment for residents, Hume said.
The mechanical systems are efficient and the exterior walls of the building have almost twice the amount of insulation of a typical residence hall. It is designed to save up to 15 percent of normal utility costs.
Some other renovations have been done to move in a direction with eco-friendly aspects.
A "green" building is defined as one that incorporates environmentally friendly design elements that are more water and energy efficient, uses recycled materials, sustainable site-development and indoor environmental quality, according to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design criteria.
Maple Hill residence hall, scheduled to open next fall, will incorporate some of the categories specified by LEED. However, the project acquired 22 of the minimum 26 points for basic LEED certification, said Gary Hume, director of Residential Facilities.
"Because of the fast-track pace of this project, it is unlikely that we will reach the minimum points for any certification," he said.
Housing officials hope phase two of the project, which is scheduled to open in August 2008, will be LEED certified.
The "green" features of Maple Hill are based mostly on the construction. The pavement was salvaged from existing concrete and used for fill rather than excavating another site to bring in dirt. The main structural system is fabricated from recycled steel rather than new mill product, Hume said. The gypsum wallboard used throughout the project is primarily manufactured out of recycled material and post-consumer products. Other green points were earned by UA policies. For example, alternative transportation methods and the density of the campus environment and campus utility systems earned points. Also, the building earned points for the amount of natural light in primary spaces, which reduces energy load and improves the living environment for residents, Hume said.
The mechanical systems are efficient and the exterior walls of the building have almost twice the amount of insulation of a typical residence hall. It is designed to save up to 15 percent of normal utility costs.
Some other renovations have been done to move in a direction with eco-friendly aspects.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Gwen Leger
posted 3/08/07 @ 7:44 PM CST
Matt -- I love that you are finally being published! I still think that you need more quotes!!
Leger
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