Sustainability

• Waste/Recycling Report (October 2007)
• Fast Company (Issue 111): A Different Shade of Green (December 2006)
• Perkins + Will Report: Dreyfus University Center Remodeling and Addition (March 2006)

October 2007

Waste/Recycling Report

This report summarizes the daily log sheets collected by Miron Construction tracking the removal of construction materials from the Dreyfus University Center construction site.
Because there is no good conversation for wood into tons (from yards), we are not using those figures in our percentages of recycling as compared to debris.

As of August 2006: we are recycling approximately 87% of the materials as compared to 13% of materials being considered "debris".

December 2006

A Different Shade of Green

Can a green building be green without LEED certification?

From: Issue 111 | December 2006 | Page 37 | By: Josie Swindler
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Green construction--noble and increasingly mainstream--isn't easy. Since the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards were released in 2000, 4,500 proposed buildings have registered; to date, though, only 615 have been LEED-certified.

The problems are several. Critics argue that the USGBC ignores important geographical differences, attaching as much importance to water conservation in Washington as in Arizona. For that matter, every feature on the LEED checklist is awarded the same value--so a builder gets the same credit for installing a bike rack as for harvested-rain cooling, regardless of their true impact. But the biggest issue is cost. Design and construction reviews required for LEED certification can cost many thousands of dollars.

That's why some are looking for ways to circumvent the official process. By the time Cornell University completed the first of five nearly identical dorms in 2004, it had paid $300,000 in consultant and submission fees to get LEED status. Now, it's using that building as a blueprint for the other four--each featuring vegetated roofs, spaces with natural light, and a glycol heat exchanger. They're certifiable, just not certified.

READER RIFF "If one designs with LEED standards, the resulting building will save you money while almost secondarily helping the environment. A savvy businessperson could only make one choice. " --Lisa L. Reeves

Date:
March 10, 2006

Regarding:
Dreyfus University Center Remodeling and Addition
University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point
DSF Project #: 02K2U SDS Project #: 0460

Our design work for the Dreyfus University Center renovation and addition has encompassed numerous objectives. Among them are, fulfilling the stated Program, providing a wellfunctioning building, designing an attractive building that enhances the user’s personal experience and encourages them to engage in the community of the University, and last but not least, integrating design strategies that minimize the building’s negative impact on the natural environment while creating a livable environment that protects the user’s health and safety. While our scope of work did not include the resources to participate in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification program, the design team incorporated the strategies and engaged in a process in the spirit of LEED.

The following sustainable design features have been incorporated into the project:

Sustainable Sites:

Sediment and Erosion Control - Storm water inlet protection and silt fence downslope of any site disturbance will be provided during construction.

Development Density - We utilized a site in an existing development with a density of approximately 60,000 sf per acre, thereby protecting greenfield and preserving habitat and natural resources

Alternate Transportation - We provided secure bicycle storage for140 bicycles which is over 5% of building occupants. The building provides showers for special guests/ performers and the University Center could make them available for student use.

Reduce Site Disturbance – Our goal is to restore 50% of the site area by replacing impervious surfaces with native or adaptive vegetation. While we may have increased the impervious surfaces due to program requirements, we did increase the amount of trees and vegetation on the (hot) west side of the building. Wherever it was feasible, we provided planted areas.

Landscape and Exterior Design to Reduce Heat Islands - We are providing shade on the west side through tree plantings. The north parking lot was reduced by 22% while maintaining the highest number of parking spaces, so shading was not achieved in the parking lot. Part of the existing parking lot was replaced with a hard surface entrance plaza with bike parking and landscaped areas. Approximately 15-20% shading of the site is achieved.

Light Pollution Reduction – Cut-off lighting will be provided in the parking lot, north of the building to eliminate light trespass from the building and site.

Water Efficiency:

Water Use Reduction 20% - Our goal is to reduce the burden on municipal water supply and wastewater systems. All existing water closets which are 3.5 GPF will be replaced with new fixtures which are 1.6 GPF. Optical control valves will be provided for urinals.

Energy & Atmosphere:

CFC Reduction in HVAC&R Equipment – A 400 ton chiller which uses CFC refrigerants and supplies chilled water to air condition the University Center, Communication Arts Center, Student Services Center and Old Main will be replaced. All new equipment will not contain any CFC refrigerants.

Minimum Energy Performance - HVAC system was designed with several zones within the building to allow control of areas during non-use. Motion sensors are provided for lighting control in occupied areas.

Measurement and Verification - Provide ongoing accountability and optimization of building energy and water consumption performance over time. All HVAC systems will be monitored. The chilled water systems will be monitored through BTU measurement stations and the steam system will be monitored through flow stations. All systems will be optimized through the building automation system.

Materials and Resources:

Storage and Collection of Recyclables - We provided an accessible area that serves the entire building and is dedicated to the collection and storage of materials for recycling for paper, cardboard, glass, plastics and metals.

Building Reuse - We maintained at least 75% of the existing building structure and shell.

Construction Waste Management - We will include requirements in the specification for 50% of construction waste to be diverted from landfill.

Recycled Content - We used approximately 5% post-consumer materials, including aluminum for window frames and trim, steel for structure and studs, fly ash in concrete, carpet, rubber flooring and base (post-industrial), particle board for casework, fabric for wall panels and copper in roofing.

Local and Regional Materials - We specified regional granite, brick, and theater seats manufactured locally. We selected materials that are readily available in the region such as concrete, oak wood (vs. exotic or tropical woods), glass, and gypsum board.

Certified Wood – Our goal is to specified 50% wood and wood-based products that are in accordance with the Forest Stewardship Council's (FSC) Principles and Criteria. Wood items for this project include wood panels, trim, casework, columns/beams, and flooring.

Indoor Environmental Quality:

Environmental Tobacco Smoke Control - The university is prohibiting smoking of tobacco in the building and designating smoking areas on exterior away from entries.

Carbon Dioxide Monitoring – All air handlers will be provided with CO2 monitoring except for AHU-1 (concourse).

Construction Indoor Air Quality Plan - The building will not be occupied by the public during construction. Temporary exhaust equipment will be used for ventilating the spaces during construction. The air handling equipment can be used to ventilate the building after construction but the specified quantity of outside air will be maintained. Air filters will be replaced prior to opening the building.

Low-Emitting Adhesives - We reduced VOC content of adhesives and sealants to reduce quantity of indoor air contaminants that are odorous, and potentially irritating or harmful to occupants.

Low-Emitting Paints and Coatings - We will specify paints and coatings that do not exceed Green Seal's Standard GS-11 requirements.

Low-Emitting Carpet - We will specify carpets that exceed the requirements of the Carpet and Rug Institute's Green Label Indoor Air Quality Test Program.

Low-Emitting Composite Wood - We specified composite woods that contain no added ureaformaldehyde resins.

Daylight and Views - We provided for the building occupants a connection between indoor spaces and the outdoors through the introduction of daylight and views into the regularly occupied areas of the building.

Daylighting - We incorporated additional daylight in the existing building for the Bookstore, Dining, Stair S0010, and Admin Offices, to reduce reliance on artificial light. We are making use of daylighting in the Concourse to reduce the need for artificial lights during the day.

Building Systems and Planning:

Insulated Building Systems - We're using insulated glass, thermally broken window and curtain wall frame systems, insulated cavity walls and roof. Wood beams penetrating the building envelope along the west side provide better thermal performance than steel would have. Large vestibules allow more time for the outside set of doors to close before the inside set opens thereby reducing heat loss/gain during temperature extremes. We're replacing old windows and curtain wall with new high performance systems.

Sun Protection - We protected west-facing glass on the Lower Level with a large building overhang, roof overhangs above Level One protect clerestory windows, window boxes with deep set windows and extended window frames protect on Level One. Frit coatings and extended window frames on the curtain wall at the Roof Terrace cut down on direct sunlight.

Respectfully Submitted,
SDS ARCHITECTS, INC.

Thomas Twohig

Thomas Twohig
Project Architect