Green Field Notes
Nov 1, 2009 12:00 PM
Sustainable-design principles put into action in today's education institutions.
Florida Atlantic University, Business Services Banquet Hall and Food Service Venue — Boca Raton, Fla.
Architect: Gallo Architects & Development Consultants, Inc., D.B.A. Gallo Herbert Lebolo
What considerations were given to green products and processes?
The project's LEED-CI Platinum certification goal required close collaboration among the design team to ensure that conservation and occupant well-being goals would be integrated aesthetically with the functional design requirements. The design also supports staff and patron well-being, both through the use of low-VOC building materials and furnishings throughout, and through views of the restored wetland prairie habitat just beyond the exterior patio dining area.
What are some unique green aspects of the facility?
To make optimal use of the abundance of available daylight, the team developed an energy-efficient lighting design, using effective perimeter zoning and photosensor lighting controls that will ensure unneeded electric lighting is not in use during daylighted hours. Efficient plumbing fixtures are situated in the shared common restrooms. As an additional conservation contribution, the food-service design team specified water-efficient food-prep faucets and hand-wash faucets. Numerous recycled content and regionally manufactured products and finishes were selected. Low-VOC coatings, sealants and adhesives and non-urea formaldehyde wood products have been specified for use throughout. In addition, GREENGUARD furnishings were specified to safeguard the indoor air quality further.
Community response
The university's community response can be summed up best by Karl K. Stevens, dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science: "The college's green building initiative is to construct a facility that will be a showcase and 'living laboratory' for sustainable development and that will qualify for platinum-level certification in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system of the U.S. Green Building Council. This facility will be unique in the state of Florida and will provide, among many other things, a comfortable, healthy environment and good support space for faculty, staff and students."
- Return to the 2009 Architectural Portfolio's Green Field Notes main page to view more projects where sustainable-design principles were used in today's educational institutions.
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