The University trustees will name an architect to design the replacement for the Hall-Atwater science building when they meet on Nov. 17 and 18. Although unbound by the recommendation of the new building’s Steering Committee, the trustees are likely to take the suggestion seriously, according to committee members.
The Steering Committee, composed of two students, two trustees, three faculty members, and two staff members, decided on a candidate after thorough research that dates back to the spring. The committee solicited a total of 37 firms, 18 of which submitted applications. The pool was then narrowed to four finalists as committee members ranked the firms from one to 18.
After a round of interviews, there was a strong consensus for one of the firms, according to a Steering Committee member. The committee cannot yet reveal the architectural firm’s name, but say that it has a record of environmentally conscious design.
Members of the Environmental Organizers Network (EON) are pleased with the preliminary selection but are also racking their brains to influence the final decision at the trustee meeting.
“It’s expected that the trustees will approve the Steering Committee’s choice,” said President of EON Annie Fox ’07. “We are all very excited about the selection.”
According to Fox, over 60 percent of the firm’s architects are certified in energy-saving design techniques. In addition, the firm has a record at other universities of environmentally friendly design and the use of sustainable materials. At Middlebury College, for instance, the firm used local lumber to construct a new building, decreasing oil use for transportation.
Although construction of the new science center will not begin for three years, EON members see the current planning stage as a critical step in achieving materials sustainability.
At the trustee meeting, EON members will try to show how sustainable building can positively influence University public relations efforts and help the University to obtain grant-related funding.
They will promote using green materials like paints without harmful toxins, efficient water systems, non-toxic paint finishes, and, like Middlebury, local lumber to reduce oil for transportation. Additionally, EON will present sustainable building success stories from other schools such as the University of Connecticut and Oberlin College.
Rob Schmidt, a construction services consultant in charge of the new science center, said that this project will put a premium on efficient energy use.
“Science buildings are high energy users with their fume hoods, labs, and chemical disposal units,” Schmidt said. “The architect we employ will be in charge of mechanical, electric and plumbing, so we will have to choose someone who uses environmentally conscious materials and builds to conserve energy.”
For EON, meeting Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards, such as energy efficiency and indoor environmental quality, is the primary measure of success. However, actual LEED certification is too costly and seems to have few benefits beyond good publicity and possible grant funding, according to Fox.
“The school is meeting most of the LEED standards in its new buildings,” Fox said.
“The fact that they are not LEED-certified by a professional architect is not very important.”
Associate Director of Environmental Health and Safety Bill Nelligan agrees that the University is taking more steps to focus on sustainable building materials.
“We’re constructing all of our big buildings with LEED standards in mind,” he said. “Sustainability has a huge impact on everyday life.”
Recently, the relationship between EON and administrators has exceeded Fox’s expectations because of administrators’ increased effort to focus on sustainable building.
“The amount of contact between EON and the administration has been unbelievable lately,” Fox said. “The creation of Bill Nelligan’s position has made it easier to have cooperative relations.”
Nelligan also characterized his relationship with EON as helpful.
“EON is a great group,” he said. “They’re very dedicated to the environment and give lots of good ideas for me to consider.”
This relationship has allowed EON members to collaborate with Nelligan and research other campuses’s sustainable energy departments. Bowdoin, Colby, Middlebury, and Williams colleges have all created departments composed of faculty, staff, and students specifically devoted to sustainable energy use.
One of Nelligan’s goals is to reduce coal burning and focus on renewable energy.
“The University wants a return in investment from energy efficiency,” he said. “It has almost always funded projects that make a return within five years.”
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