ABSTRACTINTRODUCTIONSmith College’s Science CenterLEED Applied to SmithMETHODSLectureRESULTSDISCUSSIONRenewable Energy Source, 5%Measurement and VerificationGreen PowerRECOMMENDATIONS11. McCullough, Bob. Personal contact. Smith College, Northampton, MA. April 12, 2004.Building a Sustainable Science CenterThe Monitoring and Use of Renewable and Efficient EnergyJessica HillAssisted by:Allison CrosbyAmanda WenczelSmith CollegeMay 6, 2004EVS 300ABSTRACTSmith College has committed to building a LEED certified science center. The Engineering andChemistry Building, the first of three buildings, is being designed for basic green certification.With the combination of Allison Crosby and Amanda Wenczel’s research, it is proposed that asilver certification is financially viable and therefore must be realized. This paper is focused onthe application of renewable and efficient energy use, as well as the need to properly monitor andrecord all aspects of energy and water flow. It is recommended that Smith implement fluorescentlight bulbs, efficient hand driers, proper window and wall insulation, solar panels and adequateenergy and emission monitors. Recently, the college has signed onto a Campus SustainabilityPledge. Creating an energy efficient, environmentally friendly building is the first major steptaken towards supporting this agreement.INTRODUCTIONScientists, activists and everyday people around New England are trying to makethe urgent problem we face known, recognized and resolved. The dramatic rise inclimatic temperature over the last few decades has caused increasing alarm as greenhousegas emissions have risen steadily. Limited natural resources have also been recklesslyused, without concern for what the future may bring or require. Many people are trying tochange these fundamental aspects of the unsustainable lifestyle that is thriving in societytoday. Liberal Arts colleges have often been looked at as role models for instillingdramatic social change. Since the people present on a campus, both students andprofessors alike, are there to learn, it seems a logical progression that schools would leadthe way in presenting different and new lifestyles. Awareness of the environmentalproblem that the world is facing has increased as more students realize the repercussionseven the smallest of actions has. For this reason, the growing number of universities thatare actively creating sustainable campuses is not surprising. As the world becomes increasingly environmentally aware, green technology hasbecome more accessible and economically feasible. Though, in general, there is a higherupfront cost than “regular” building techniques, usually within five years the renewable2technology has paid for itself and is, essentially, creating a profit. There are differentgovernment incentives available to help, support and encourage companies, schools andeven homes to use renewable energy sources. Since the demand for green sources hasonly started to substantially grow recently, the development of more efficient, longer-lasting, and cheaper technology is rising as well. All of these advancements demandattention as it becomes more apparent that a drastic change in lifestyle must occur fromthe use of less-efficient limited resources to less-polluting renewable ones. Smith College’s Science Center Smith College, Northampton, MA, is one of many institutions that has recognizedthe environmental problem of today, and is acting accordingly. In 2002-3, a new campuscenter was built with green concepts underlying the design. Though no greenaccreditation was attempted at the time, it was created with this as a future probability. Inthe spring of 2004, Smith signed onto the Clean Air, Cool Planet Campus SustainabilityPledge, agreeing to create a more environmentally friendly campus and to comply withthe regulations set by the 1997 Kyoto Protocol. The college is now in the process of designing and building a new science center.At the end of the development, there will be three new buildings added to the campus, inaddition to a new, large green space where a parking lot and street now lie. The first stepin this project is the creation of the Engineering and Chemistry Building, with theintentions of breaking ground in the spring of 2006. This 75,000 sq ft building will houseall engineering, computer science, chemistry, biochemistry and molecular biology. TheLEED certified architects, Bohlin, Cywinski and Jackson, chosen specifically for theirexperience with environmentally friendly projects, were given a $45 million budget to3design a certifiably green building that contains all of the necessary chemistry andbiology laboratories. A Sustainability Committee, made up of students, faculty and staff,is involved in the development of the design. Once the design is approved, a smallersubcommittee will be formed and remain active throughout the development of thebuilding. LEED certification1With the continuous awareness and demand for sustainable living, the UnitedStates Green Building Council (USGBC) set a national standard: LEED certification.Recognition from Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) involvesregistering a project when it is first being developed, and maintaining contact with aLEED certified member throughout its construction so that the best, and most feasibleoptions for the building are always being considered. Once a project is complete, thepoints awarded towards the certification are divided into six components:Sustainable Sites: Choosing a location that has minimal environmentalimpact, including protection of open space, local access to publictransportation, bicycle storage. Water Efficiency: Reducing water use, minimizing or removing the use ofpotable water for irrigation and wastewater Energy and Atmosphere: Using efficient, renewable energy sources andgreen power, monitoring gas emissions, water and air circulationMaterials and Resources: Reusing and recycling building materials, usinglocally grown or manufactured materials Indoor Environmental Quality: Monitoring effectiveness of air circulation,temperature control, use of low-emission materials, use of daylightInnovational Design: Additional points can be obtained for using a new,environmentally friendly design or