FOSTERING SUSTAINABILITY: DESIGNING A GREEN SCIENCE BUILDING AT A SMALL MAINE COLLEGE
Impact/Purpose:
The University of Maine at Machias is planning construction of a new science building to house programs in Biology, Environmental Studies and Marine Biology. The building will be designed to meet the LEED™ Green Building Rating System, focusing on reducing energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions. Other important LEED™ design considerations include reducing stormwater runoff, maximizing natural light and using environmentally friendly building materials, all while incorporating uniquely Maine features. Our remote location, cold climate, high heating and electricity costs, high transportation costs and the paucity of local contractors with expertise in this type of construction all add to the challenge of this project.
Description:
The overarching goal of the project ‘as to develop a feasibility study
of building design and construction that takes into account the various local
conditions, optimizes energy savings. use of building materials, and long term
sustainability of the structure. The optimal site based on environmental impacts
of the three possible building sites was determined. A list of feasible energy
conservation measures including a green roof with low bush blueberries was
developed. Of the alternative energy production methods investigated solar
energy production
is feasible while tidal. wave, and wind are not feasible for our location A
lean-to greenhouse that uses passive solar heating and gray water will be attached to the new building.
however, it was determined that it would not he feasible to raise additional
produce for campus use in the greenhouse. A Living Machine® is likely to
be feasible. A list of environmentally friendly building materials was developed.
In addition, a room with a bike rack and a room for recycling were added to
the building to encourage alternative transport and recycling.
Record Details:
Record Type:PROJECT(
ABSTRACT
)
Start Date:09/30/2004
Completion Date:05/30/2005
Record ID:
87876
Keywords:
NORTHEAST, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, COST-BENEFIT, LIFE-CYCLE ANALYSIS, RENEWABLE, WASTE REDUCTION, AND WASTE MINIMIZATION,
Related Organizations:
Role
:OWNER
Organization Name
:UNIVERSITY OF MAINE - MACHIAS
Mailing Address
:Office of Institutional Studies
Citation
:Orono
State
:ME
Zip Code
:4469
Project Information:
Approach
:The undergraduate design team will investigate a variety of options in the design and siting of the building. Pilot projects will include investigating the feasibility of solar and wind power generation and the use of lowbush blueberries (Vaccinium augustafolium) on a green roof to reduce stormwater runoff and moderate temperature fluctuations in the building. The team will evaluate the feasibility of placing solar collectors over a parking area, incorporating a greenhouse for natural lighting and passive heating, using gray water for plants in the greenhouse, and supplementing campus meals with greenhouse-grown produce.
Energy sources, building siting, etc. will be evaluated by comparing construction, maintenance and energy costs with similarly-sized traditionally constructed projects and with the existing science building on campus. Implementation of the design will occur with the construction of an environmentally friendly building on the campus.
Cost
:$6,623.00
Research Component
:Pollution Prevention/Sustainable Development
Approach
:The undergraduate design team will investigate a variety of options in the design and siting of the building. Pilot projects will include investigating the feasibility of solar and wind power generation and the use of lowbush blueberries (Vaccinium augustafolium) on a green roof to reduce stormwater runoff and moderate temperature fluctuations in the building. The team will evaluate the feasibility of placing solar collectors over a parking area, incorporating a greenhouse for natural lighting and passive heating, using gray water for plants in the greenhouse, and supplementing campus meals with greenhouse-grown produce.
Energy sources, building siting, etc. will be evaluated by comparing construction, maintenance and energy costs with similarly-sized traditionally constructed projects and with the existing science building on campus. Implementation of the design will occur with the construction of an environmentally friendly building on the campus.
Cost
:$6,623.00
Research Component
:P3 Challenge Area - Built Environment
Project IDs:
ID Code
:SU831873
Project type
:EPA Grant