UW Savery Hall Renovation

Architecture Firm:
SRG Partnership, Inc.
Completion Date:
9/1/2009
Project Format (not yet built / built):
Not yet built
Project Size (sf / site acreage):
104,590 SF
Project Location:
Seattle, Washington
Budget ($/sq Ft, optional):
$362/SF
Existing entry tower from the quadSouth Elevation of Savery Hall. All windows will be replaced with new aluminum clad wood windows with low-e glazing. All windows have operable awning sections for natural ventilation. Muntin spacing to replicate the existing windows.Interior open office workstations for teaching assistants with access to daylight from perimeter office transom relites.Teaching Assistant office "pod" in north wing with relites and glass doors to allow daylight penetration.Teaching Assistant office "pod" in south wing along exterior wall. Transom relites bordering hallway to mezzanine offices above.Elevator Lobby with Mezzanine balcony above incorporating salvaged wrought iron guardrail section as an artifact.Natural ventilation strategy coupled with VRF perimeter units
Interior Designer:
SRG Partnership, Inc.
General Contractor:
Hoffman Construction Company
Landscape Designer:
Fredericks Landscape Architecture
Lighting Consultant:
Cierra Lighting
Structural Engineer:
ABKJ
Mechanical Engineer:
Wood-Harbinger, Inc.
Electrical Engineer:
Travis Fitzmaurice & Associates
Commissioning Agent:
Wilson Jones Consulting
Civil Engineer:
ABKJ
Other:
Wiss Janney Elstner Associates, Inc.
Owner:
University of Washington
Sustainable Sites:
This project is a renovation of an existing historically significant classroom and office building on the University of Washington campus. The project is a full exterior restoration and a complete redesign of the interior spaces. The shell and structure will remain intact with renovated upgrades to its mechanical, electrical, seismic systems and interior layout. Inherently, there is very little impact to the site since it is a building that already exists. Minimal grading adjustments are planned to make the building more accessible. The site itself is adjacent to a major public transportation hub reducing impacts from automobile pollution. Bicycle storage and changing rooms are also incorporated in the project as a way to accommodate those who choose more environmentally friendly methods of transportation.
Toward Zero Energy:
Thermally efficient building envelope insulation upgrades meeting or exceeding the Seattle Energy Code were implemented. Lower lighting power densities are designed for all spaces along with perimeter zoning. The project utilizes natural ventilation where existing structure allows. Energy efficient HVAC design is obtained by using a variable refrigerant flow system for heating and cooling. This system uses heat recovery to minimize energy usage. The project's one air handling unit, which supplies ventilation air to the entire building, includes a heat pipe system, which pre-conditions the outside air to again minimize energy usage. The air handling unit's motors are also supplied with variable frequency drives. The project is utilizing an energy management control system to optimize the building's energy usage. This system is coupled with effective air quality monitoring with CO2 sensors. This system is projected to save 16% energy over a standard HVAC system. All of this contributes to lessening energy dependence on fossil fuels.
Local and Sustainable Materials:
First of all we established a very aggressive construction waste management policy in which the contractor is given a goal of achieving 90% or better construction waste management, directing it toward the stream of recycled materials. This greatly exceeds the 2 points that LEED awards to projects that divert 75% of waste from a landfill. Secondly, the project specifies that the contractor meets or exceeds a LEED goal of using 20% of building materials and products manufactured regionally within a radius of 500 miles. Lastly, finish materials were also selected for their durability. For example, concrete floors, columns and walls are left exposed in many areas of the renovation. Other finishes are made with recyclable materials.
Sustainable Water:
The project is utilizing ultra low-flow urinals at 1/8 gpf and low-flow lavatories at 1/2 gpm. Lavatories are employing sensor-operated metering faucets. Urinals and water closets also use sensor-operated flush valves.
IEQ and Comfort:
The project is utilizing CO2 sensors in all classrooms and high density areas to ensure good air quality. Temperature sensors have been supplied in all classrooms and high density areas as well as frequently throughout the office spaces to allow individuals control over their thermal comfort. Sufficient ventilation air has been supplied to all spaces to satisfy ASHRAE 62.1 Standards. Occupancy sensors and photosensors will be provided per Seattle Energy Code requirements. All will be stand alone in each room with relays. Daylighting controls will be provided in all large spaces to maximize the potential for energy savings. Large Classroom Auditoria will be provided with centralized dimming systems connected to the AV control system. Small classrooms will be provided with wall box dimmers and override relay and occupancy sensors. Acoustical separation between offices, classrooms, hallways and restrooms are designed to meet or exceed STC design standards.
Collective Wisdom and Feedback:
This has been an integrated design effort from the entire design team. A study by peer consultants of utilizing natural ventilation, nighttime flushing and thermal mass for this existing structure was helpful in developing our overall HVAC strategy so we could implement the most energy efficient system feasible. Secondly, the university plans to monitor the performance of the building’s HVAC system with monitoring devices to provide feedback a year after occupation as to whether we have achieved designed assumptions.
Social Equity:
Savery Hall is one of the core buildings within the “Quad” lined with cherry blossom trees along the central spine brick walkway. This historic core framework is based on the Beaux-Arts plan resulting from the 1906 Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition, integrated with the 1915 Bebb and Gould Plan. Conservation of the core with its significant buildings and open space is a primary university goal. The renovation of Savery Hall satisfies this significant goal and ensures that the existing users can continue their livelihoods and educational pursuits without feeling displaced. By recognizing the value of treasured structures on campus, a link between the roots of the past is established with the present local community and ensures longevity into the future. By upgrading the internal building systems to the most modern energy systems feasible within the state funded budget, Savery Hall gives back to the community a college classroom and office building for another 50 to 100 years.
Regional/Community Design:
The University of Washington is committed to expand its campus with new facilities when necessary. However, it also knows that extending the life of its existing buildings is a fiscal and cultural necessity as well. The University of Washington is an institution that is cognizant of its key role in the community and the Pacific Northwest. Providing the appropriate educational and research facilities for a nationally top ranked public university is obviously necessary and commendable. To do so, while rejecting a “throw-away” mentality and inserting energy efficient, sustainable building systems is meritorious. Increasingly, we are reminded that a healthy society is a careful connection of various institutions and services that we depend on. The Savery Hall renovation ensures that the Departments of Sociology, Philosophy, Economics and the Center for Social Science Research will continue their work producing graduates experiencing a positive teaching environment that is an example of smart sustainable design.