Architecture Firm:
Leavengood Architects, Inc.
Completion Date:
July, 01, 2009
Project Size (sf / site acreage):
70,000 SF
Project Location:
Centralia, Washington
Budget ($/sq Ft, optional):
$23,500,000 ($335/SF)
Interior Designer:
Leavengood Architects
General Contractor:
Schwiesow Construction, Inc.
Landscape Designer:
Karen Kiest Landscape Architects
Lighting Consultant:
Wood Harbinger, Inc.
Structural Engineer:
AKB Engineering
Mechanical Engineer:
Wood Harbinger, Inc.
Electrical Engineer:
Wood Harbinger, Inc.
Commissioning Agent:
MacDonald / Miller
Air Quality Consultant:
Wood Harbinger, Inc.
Civil Engineer:
Saez Consulting Engineers
Other:
Sustainability Consultant, Green Building Services
Owner:
Dr. James Walton, President, Centralia College
Sustainable Sites:
The site has been developed to coordinate with the environmental sensitivities established in the campus master plan, to provide natural outdoor areas designed to be utilized for sustainable learning labs. Although the outdoor learning labs are defined outside of our scope spatially, the site selection and design have been established to integrate with their function as part of our program. Development is located adjacent to existing residential neighborhoods and will utilize existing community services. The site takes advantage of existing bus lines located on either side of the campus, and will work to promote Bicycle use with storage and shower facilities located within 200 yards of the structure. The three-story structure (in lieu of a two story plan) reduces the development footprint, maximizing the open space for campus activities and outdoor learning labs. All storm water will be managed on site, and impervious surfaces will be reduced to less tan 50% of the total site development area. The Heat Island effect will be reduced with natural areas exceeding 50% of the total site area and roofing that has a high Solar Reflectance Index. The existing campus light fixtures located within the limits of work will make aggravate the possibility for light pollution reductions, but all new fixtures will be sensitive to the night sky.
Toward Zero Energy:
The baseline energy system will be variable air volume with central boilers and chillers serving terminal reheat zones. Through the use of high efficiency boilers and high efficiency chillers we have established the goal of Optimized energy performance of 24.5%. In addition we are working to established a heat recovery system, and have exposed concrete structure adjacent to the exterior of the building to take advantage of the mass of the structure. The shading coefficient of the glazing, solar sun shades and optimizing the building envelope efficiency all contribute to lower energy requirements. The programmatic requirements of the science laboratories exceed the efficiency of a heat pump system, and the cost of an integrated geothermal system did not appear likely with respect to a tight budget.
Local and Sustainable Materials:
The project will work to divert 50% of Construction Waste from Disposal and through the use of steel and concrete will attain 20% post consumer recycle content. Regional materials will be achieved for 10% of the project through the use of concrete and fly ash. We are looking at the use of both local material as well as recycled material, and rapidly growing material for bathroom partitions, paneling, and misc. casework. The
Construction Type and use of the building will not contribute to large quantities of material to contribute to an LEED point in the material and resource budget, but are items that are easily identifiable as an educational tool.
Sustainable Water:
Water Efficient Landscaping will work to achieve a 50% reduction in water usage. Within the structure Low flow lavatories, low flow urinals and dual flush toilets will reduce water consumption by over 30%
IEQ and Comfort:
Indoor Air Quality will be monitored during construction. To monitor post construction air quality, the owner will implement an Indoor Air Quality Management Plan. Low emitting Material and Sealants will be specified. Science Labs will be required to have chemically resistant vinyl for the finish flooring, while typical classrooms will have linoleum flooring and recycled carpet tiles in offices and administration areas. Walk off mats will be utilized at all of the entry doors to minimize the infiltration of exterior pollutants.
Lighting systems will have photocells on the daylight zone at each of the classrooms and laboratories linked to dimming ballast. The daylight zone will automatically adjust light to existing daylight conditions. Ninety percent of the spaces will have individual controls with motion sensors to turn off lights in non-used rooms. The layout of the structure provides daylight and views to over 90% of the spaces.
Collective Wisdom and Feedback:
Looking through the LEED note book developed for the project, there are hundreds of projects that we have studied in our own understanding of developing a sustainable Building. Similar projects have aided in the design of day lighting and solar sun shading, rain gardens and green roofs; site development and water management.
The biggest influence however is learning that all of of the collective ideas create the whole - everything is connected. Sustainability can be achieved with a very rational approach, prioritizing simplicity of technology as a means to achieve ones goals. We monitor all of the sustainable strategies to examine their effectiveness for future projects.
Regional/Community Design:
Both the College and larger Centralia community were initially very doubtful that a successful sustainable project could be achieved within the constrained budget of a state funded project. Through surpassing the minimum requirements of a LEED Silver Certification with a projected Gold Certification, the Centralia College community has gained a new optimistic outlook on sustainable design. This has translated into a campus wide focus on green building projects and larger sustainable practices.