Berea College to start construction on a green residence hall
Berea College is set to start construction on a $16.5 million sustainable residence hall in Kentucky, US.
St. Louis, Missouri-based Hastings & Chivetta are the lead designers whereas St. Louis, Missouri-based Hellmuth & Bicknese are the sustainability consultants for the project. Lexington, Kentucky office of Cincinnati-based Messer Construction Co. will serve as the construction manager.
The three-level facility, referred to as the Deep Green Residence Hall, will cover an area of 42,000 square feet. It will comprise 66 rooms to accommodate 120 students.
The hall will imbibe several green features. The features include rooftop solar photovoltaic and solar thermal systems which will suffice nearly 14% of the energy requirements of the facility. It will be equipped with a high-performance geothermal heat pump recirculation system, a highly insulated building envelope, and operable windows to provide natural ventilation throughout. It will also incorporate efficient lighting systems as well as active daylighting. Further, there will be a dashboard for real time monitoring of the building's energy usage.
The facility will be fitted with low-flow water fixtures to cut down water consumption. It will allow efficient management of storm water with incorporation of rain gardens, bioretention ponds and pervious concrete.
Use of various reclaimed and locally-sourced materials will add to the sustainability of the property. The full building exterior will comprise 100% recycled content brick while bulk of its interior trim and furniture will be manufactured from trees harvested from the Berea College forest. In addition, the hall will upgrade its indoor air quality with use of low-VOC interior paints, carpeting and finishes.
The hall is due to complete construction by August 2013.
