Lets take a closer look at the new dorm on campus: the Ernie Davis Dorm. Expecting a LEED Silver rating, the dorm uses structural, mechanical, and orientation techniques to achieve a more environmentally sustainable building. Thanks to a class site visit, I was able to don a hard hat and follow a project manager through the site.
So here are some points that I found: although the building will not utilize a green roof as expected, it will comply with LEED standards and use a white roof, which will effectively reflect sun rays (the few that actually hit this tundra we call Syracuse). The air conditioning will be through a convective system, which uses water to aid the transfer of heat. This should make environmentalists feel a little less guilty about living in such a lavish building. Next, the daylighting! The dorm will take advantage of those (too few yet glorious) sunny Syracuse days through the implementation of large expanses of glazing on the west and east sides of the first two floors. The lounges on every floor have three large windows and the second floor even boasts a sun roof. (Depicted in the third picture).
I absolutely can't wait to walk through the completed building, and am grateful that the university has not turned a blind eye to environmental initiatives. But lets let the next building be platinum:)
-Elysa
No comments:
Post a Comment