Elizabeth (Zibby) Ericson, FAIA, LEED APKahler Slater, Milwaukee, WI

PKAL/Minnesota State Colleges and Universities

February 12-13, 2008

Copyright © 2009 Kahler Slater, Inc.

• Policy• Institutional mission• Investment practices• Operations• Purchasing• Integrating sustainable principles

into the curriculum• Building design

What is the fundamental understanding of sustainability issues within higher education?

• An unwavering dedication to environmental awareness and action.

• The total message of the building is to be a green message.

Two basic assumptions about starting a sustainable renovation building project

• How can we explore, explain and protect the natural environment?

• How can our culture and internal practicesmirror our commitment to sustainability?

• How can we create student and faculty learning experiences that inspire young people to choose careers in science?

• How do we know when we have achieved our goals of sustainability?

In the context of renovations, what are the questions to ask about sustainability?

• How can we explore, explain and protect the natural environment?

• How can our culture and internal practicesmirror our commitment to sustainability?

• How can we create student and faculty learning experiences that inspire young people to choose careers in science?

• How do we know when we have achieved our goals of sustainability?

In the context of renovations, what are the questions to ask about sustainability?

• How can we explore, explain and protect the natural environment?

• How can our culture and internal practicesmirror our commitment to sustainability?

• How can we create student and faculty learning experiences that inspire young people to choose careers in science?

• How do we know when we have achieved our goals of sustainability?

In the context of renovations, what are the questions to ask about sustainability?

• How can we explore, explain and protect the natural environment?

• How can our culture and internal practicesmirror our commitment to sustainability?

• How can we create student and faculty learning experiences that inspire young people to choose careers in science?

• How do we know when we have achieved our goals of sustainability?

In the context of renovations, what are the questions to ask about sustainability?

Question: In the context of renovations, how can we explore, explain and protect the natural environment?

Investigation of the source of the exterior materials of the building:

•Function of a wall•Origins of brick•Assembly of brick•Aesthetics

In the context of renovations, there is a process of finding sustainable solutions that address the natural environment.

Analysis of existing practices of exterior experience:

•Tall windows allow deep penetration of light.•Window to wall ratio is low.•Pitched roof for water runoff.•Are there cracks?•Are the windows leaking air?

In the context of renovations, there is a process of finding sustainable solutions that address the natural environment.

Adoption of sustainable practices regarding the exterior envelope:

•Introduce light into public spaces with sunshades.•Create transitional green spaces.•Utilize brick and wood materials.•Solar voltaics embedded in smart glass.

In the context of renovations, there is a process of finding sustainable solutions that address the natural environment.

• Investigation• Analysis of existing practices• Adoption of sustainable practices• Monitoring and measuring the

results

Summary of the process that addresses the natural environment in the context of renovations:

In the context of renovations, what are the questions to ask about sustainability?

• How can we explore, explain and protect the natural environment?

• How can our culture and internal practicesmirror our commitment to sustainability?

• How can we create student and faculty learning experiences that inspire young people to choose careers in science?

• How do we know when we have achieved our goals of sustainability?

In the context of renovations, how can our cultural and internal practices mirror our commitment to sustainability?

Investigate sources of cultural & internal practices

•How dependant are we on fossil fuels?

Examine existing practices: the flat roof

•Flat, dark roofs absorb heat, requiring more cooling and use of fossil fuels for air conditioning.•Roofing materials are petroleum based.•Roofs are usually uninhabitable except for equipment.

In the context of renovations, how can our cultural and internal practices mirror our commitment to sustainability?

In the context of renovations, how can our cultural and internal practices mirror our commitment to sustainability?

Adopt sustainable practices that minimize the use of fossil fuels.

•Green roof.

A. Plants and soil retain storm water and reduce runoff.

B. Plants and soil absorb airborne pollutants and store carbon.

C. Reduces the urban heat island effect.

D. Creates habitat for birds and insects.

E. Provides useable space in lieu of barren roof.

F. Increases aesthetic appeal from neighboring buildings.

G. Insulates building and reduces building energy use.

H. Protects roof material from solar radiation and extreme temperature fluctuations.

I. Excess rainwater is conveyed through drainage mat to groundwater recharge in alley.

Tracey L. Thompson, “Urban Sustainability,” Practice - Boston Architectural College Winter 2009: 55.

In the context of renovations, how can our cultural and internal practices mirror our commitment to sustainability?

Monitor and measure reduction of dependence on fossil fuels.

•Do people use the roof for recreation?•For a classroom?•What wildlife has been attracted?•Is maintenance lower (fewer roof leaks and longer roof life.)•Are fuel bills lower?

In the context of renovations, what are the questions to ask about sustainability?

• How can we explore, explain and protect the natural environment?

• How can our culture and internal practicesmirror our commitment to sustainability?

• How can we create student and faculty learning experiences that inspire young people to choose careers in science?

• How do we know when we have achieved our goals of sustainability?

Bathroom Renovation

•What is the source of student interest in water?

In the context of renovations, how can we create student and faculty learning experiences that inspire young people to choose careers in science?

The bathroom as a laboratory experiment.

Existing practice: flush potable water into piped sanitation system, which eventually ends up in our lakes.

Sustainable practice: reduce the amount of potable water used by introducing green handled toilets.

In the context of renovations, how can we create student and faculty learning experiences that inspire young people to choose careers in science?

Maintaining and measuring water used and saved by green handled toilets.

•Will people use the toilet as it is designed?•Will science students compete to see who saves the most water?•Will the facilities department believe this appliance is efficient and can be easily maintained?

In the context of renovations, how can we create student and faculty learning experiences that inspire young people to choose careers in science?

Soap: anti-bacterial soap kills marine life. Can we use different soaps and still feel clean?

In the context of renovations, how can we create student and faculty learning experiences that inspire young people to choose careers in science?

Making the renovation process a laboratory experience to engage students.

•Form a Green Team of students and faculty.•Undertake mock-ups and prototypes within the existing building before design even starts.•Use gaming as a way to monitor and measure sustainable initiatives.•Start the renovation now.

In the context of renovations, how can we create student and faculty learning experiences that inspire young people to choose careers in science?

Can we turn an old chemistry research lab into an ongoing student learning experience? What is the source of chemistry?

•Combine substances to create reactions?•What to do with the results?•What to do with the substances when not in use?

In the context of renovations, how can we create student and faculty learning experiences that inspire young people to choose careers in science?

Making an existing chemistry lab into an experiment. What are existing practices?

•Lighting•Storage system•Physical condition•Air control

In the context of renovations, how can we create student and faculty learning experiences that inspire young people to choose careers in science?

Making an existing chemistry lab into an experiment. What are sustainable practices?

•Lighting•Storage•Physical condition•Air control

In the context of renovations, how can we create student and faculty learning experiences that inspire young people to choose careers in science?

Monitoring and measuring the student experience in the renovated chemistry lab.

•Interviews•Photos of students in the space.•Number of chemistry majors.

In the context of renovations, how can we create student and faculty learning experiences that inspire young people to choose careers in science?

In the context of renovations, what are the questions to ask about sustainability?

• How can we explore, explain and protect the natural environment?

• How can our culture and internal practicesmirror our commitment to sustainability?

• How can we create student and faculty learning experiences that inspire young people to choose careers in science?

• How do we know when we have achieved our goals of sustainability?

In the context of renovations, how do we know when we have achieved our goals of sustainability?

• College Sustainability Report Card

• Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE)

• United States Green Building Council (USGBC): LEED rating system

• Carbon Footprint

• Sustainability, Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS)

UMM has been selected to participate in the pilot phase of a rating system for sustainability in higher education called STARS—Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, and Rating System. UMM joins 90 other college and university campuses to test the self-assessment tool developed by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). Participants will provide feedback to AASHE throughout 2008.

University of Minnesota Morris to track sustainability via STARS

Judy Riley. UMM to track sustainability via STARS. [Online] 18 February 2008.www.morris.umn.edu/ummnews/View.php?itemID=5073

In the context of renovations, how do we know when we have achieved our goals of sustainability?

The College Sustainability Report Card. [Online]. 8 Feb. 2009www.greenreportcard.org/compare

In the context of renovations, how do we know when we have achieved our goals of sustainability?

The College Sustainability Report Card. [Online]. 8 Feb. 2009www.greenreportcard.org/report-card-2009/schools/macalester -college