Tour Guide

OUTSIDE/LOBBY

  • Site selection credit for former Hill Center; green space was once an asphalt parking lot; also reduces heat island effect and stormwater runoff
  • 65% of waste generated from the demolition of the old Hill Center was diverted from landfill by reuse or recycling
  • Many materials used during construction were selected from within a 500-mile radius of the building site – reduces environmental impact of transportation
  • Reflective roof reduces the building’s impact on local microclimate by decreasing the urban “Heat Island” effect
  • Ample parking for bikes, showers, changing rooms, carpooling-preferred parking, hybrid and electric vehicle-preferred parking to encourage use of alternative transportation
  • Native plantings reduce need for watering
  • Pervious pavement captures stormwater and allows it to seep into the ground
  • Reuse of slate/flagstone steps and brick
  • Project’s energy usage was reduced by approximately 26% due to inclusion of energy-efficient kitchen fume hoods, heat-reducing window glazing, and occupancy and daylight sensors

EDUCATIONAL

  • Plaques throughout Commons Center describe green features to building occupants
  • Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Award in 2008 for incorporating environmental education into freshmen experience – Commons Seminars
  • Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Award in 2009 for excellence in green building standards
  • Green Screen, audio tour and website

ATRIUM, KITCHEN & DINING ROOM

  • Natural lighting as much as possible – light well; control systems installed to determine when a sufficient amount of daylight is available inside the building; artificial lighting is turned off, saving energy
  • Recycling throughout for cans, bottles and paper; hidden recycling for cardboard (compactor)
  • Grey water recycling for dishwashing
  • Pulper for solid waste disposal reduces post-consumer food waste volumes by 85%; pre-consumer waste produce scraps from the dining facility composted on-site behind the Commons Center
  • VBI collects used cooking oil to make into biodiesel fuel that is used in grounds equipment
  • Low-energy usage hoods
  • Hardware, no take-away disposables – thought to build culture among students
  • Locally-produced, organic and vegetarian meals
  • Shades; windows with low-emissivity (low-e) coated glass – reflects a high percentage of radiant energy and emits a low percentage

UPSTAIRS & FURNISHINGS

  • Drywall contains 5% post-consumer recycled content and 94% post-industrial content; steel used contains 95% post-consumer recycled content
  • Recycled-content carpet
  • Low or no-VOC paint
  • Cubicles have Steelcase furniture and chairs with recycled content
  • Bamboo chairs – bamboo is a renewable resource that regenerates quickly
  • Energy Star computers, monitors and vending machines
  • Occupancy sensors save approximately 10% of the energy used by a building’s lighting system; also control conditioned airflow
  • Meeting rooms have CO2 sensors to change ventilation rate if occupied
  • Natural lighting and shading
  • Multifunctional
  • Recycled old library chairs
  • Green cleaning products used in building are healthier than traditional cleaners

BATHROOMS

  • Building saves approximately 900,000 gallons of water per year by using low-flow faucets, waterfree urinals, and dual-flush toilets
  • Each waterfree urinal saves approximately 40,000 gals of water each year
  • Recycled content countertops
  • Low-energy dryers
  • Paper products used in restrooms meet the EPA’s criteria of 40% recycled content