Written and Researched by Kierstin Melson
History Information
The Fort Lewis College students, faculty and administration collaborated in 1998 towards the creation of a sustainable building for recreation, outdoor pursuits and intramural programs for students. Funding for the building comes directly from student fees. Because of this factor the students had to approve the additional fees that would increase the construction of the facility. The motivating force to place emphasis on environmental and ecological features came directly from the student body.
Students were given an opportunity to voice their concerns and directly influence the design process. There was a survey that examined the additional fees and explained that the building would be designed and built in the most ecologically sustainable manner possible, within construction funding limits, and in accordance with the Federal and State Statutes. Portions of the fees were split into temporary costs (expiring when the design and construction costs are paid) and permanent costs (operational costs for the upkeep of the building). The survey showed that 71% of the 951 students were more inclined to approve additional fees if sustainable concepts were incorporated. Therefore the top priority of the students, above all other functions of the building, was sustainability. The student body approved the additional costs for the building of the Student Life Center.
With the students backing the building, a Student Life Center Steering Committee was formed which included students, faculty, staff and administration to evaluate the cost benefit of energy sources. In the Final Submittal of Energy Efficiency/Sustainable Design for Fort Lewis College, prepared by Gordon, Gumeson and associates, Inc., goals were stated upfront in order to minimize consumption of limited resources and minimize pollution by utilizing energy as a resource, and not a pollutant. The report estimated anticipated energy use of the building, analyzed energy efficiency measurements and calculated approximate costs and payback periods associated with each sustainable feature of the building. Two lists were constructed in order to evaluate and measure cost analysis between energy requirements and options of energy reduction. The “A-List” was a list of “readily available” items, and the “B-List” was “desirable, but needed additional study. This work was a collaborative effort of the design team (Gordon, Gumeson and Associates, Design Balance, Architectural Energy Corporation and Sink-Combs-Dethlefs) with input from Fort Lewis College Facilities Personnel and Student Representatives.
Some of the main components in the buildings ability of minimizing energy consumption were to: favor renewable energy resources; minimize pollution of air, water, and soil. Renewable energy sources that were studied towards using were:
Solar:
Wind:
- Building orientation
- Day Lighting
- Passive space heating, or Water heating
- Shading, building insulation
- High efficiency glass
Others:Electrical wind generators Natural ventilation cooling
Biomass fuel Geothermal (ground source heat pumps) Gas cooling Absorption cooling Thermal Storage Heat recovery Ground source heat pumps Variable speed pumping 9heatin water, chilled water) Operable windows Water conservation, plumbing fixtures (roof/site) Dimmers for daylighting Occupancy sensors High efficiency lights and ballasts
With the above list in mind, the designers and contractors began
to bring together final ideas on the building. By the fall of 1999
construction began to take place. Many different issues arose during
the two years of construction. Some of the above elements were not
put into the building, because of various reasons. However, the Student
Life Center at Fort Lewis College is by far the most ecologically designed
and built building on campus. For its size it is possibly the most sustainable
buildings in the four corners area. The materials that were carefully
selected play a significant role towards the original goal of sustainability.
This website is an educational site that examines what actually went into
the building. This site also examines why it is important to think about
using alternate materials. Below is information that can be used
in various ways: education about sustainable design, information on ideas
for other companies/colleges to act responsibly when building, websites
and addresses of the companies that sell sustainable products an our success
with creating a energy efficient and sustainable building on campus.
- A. Landscape
B. Masonry
C. Aluminum Entryway
D. Roof
II. Building
Structure and Design
- A. Building Excavation
B. Day Lighting Design and Building Orientation
C. Glass Coating/Glazing
D. Day lighting and Electric Lighting
III. Interior Qualities
- A. Maintenance Practices
B. Recycle Bins
C. Rock Climbing Wall
D. Waste (Reduction) Construction Management
V. Definitions
The Native Species landscape is located on the entrance to the south side of the building. The diversity of native plants brings a sense of the location in which we live, and a feel for the southwest. These plants are resource efficient because they need minimal water to survive. They require no mowing, less fertilizer and less maintenance. The plants also attract a diversity of local animal species and help balance the local pest problem. By using native species, we are helping restore the natural environment of the Fort Lewis College mesa. One of the goals for the landscape was to provide trees that would have foliage in the summer that would produce shade, and the leaves would fall in the winter to provide light and heat. Other interests were plants that would be able to produce food, to give back the water consumption that they require
Native Species:
- Evergreen Trees
Austrian Pines
Ponderosa Pine
Brisslecone Pine
Deciduous Shade Trees
Norway Maples
River Birch
Hawthorne, Thornless Cockspur
Cimarron Ash
Imperial Honey locust
Red Oak
Deciduous Shrubs
Chokecherry
Serviceberry
Sagebrush
Alpine Currant
Dogwood
Potentilla
Elderberry
Alpine Current
Froebel Spirea
Snowberry
Mountain Mahogany
Butterfly Bush
Evergreen Shrubs
Gold Tip Compact Pfitzer
Blue-chip Juniper
Yucca
Perennials and Oriental Grasses
Blue Fescue
Unfortunately, the original plan for the Student Life Center has
1/3 times the amount of native plants and now the majority of landscape
is Kentucky bluegrass, which requires a lot of water that could be used
elsewhere.
Company:
Design Concepts
211 North Public Road, Suite 200
Layette, Colorado
80026
Phone: 303.664.5301
Fax: 303.664.5313
Email: concepts@desconla.com
Contact Person: Alex Bishop
Web Page: www.dcla.net
Other Information:
The Landscape Architect here at Fort Lewis College is David McHenery
970.247.7561
- The masonry consists of the stonework and brickwork that forms the
exterior façade of the building. It is both a natural and
local product that is durable and resource efficient. The thermal mass
of the masonry can help with keeping the building cool in the heat of the
summer while storing the sun’s heat over the cold of the winter.
This material is visually pleasing and is part of the way that the building’s
structure is energy efficient.
The building is mainly made up of Concrete Masonry Units (CMU’s) they have a minimum of 10% and maximum of 20% fly ash content. This is a bi-product of combustion, which means that not much of the material is taken out of the ground but is recycled with fly ash, a substance that is mixed into the masonry and grout. There is a very involved process of making cement, and what is special about the CMU’s that were used in the Student Life Center is that this material does not require more finish, the CMU’s are used on both inside and outside the building, the color matches the rest of the campus buildings, and the company that supplied them makes them in batches, so that none is wasted. Sidewalks, foundation, floor slabs, grout and mortar were used in the building.
Leaving the walls natural inside of the building allows for a very resource efficient environment. Instead of placing drywall over the masonry (in designated places in the building), the architects simply left it as a finished material. This creates less use of unneeded products because it eliminates the need for repainting and adding toxic chemicals to the building. As a result, the material is very easy to maintain. A local company produced the masonry, which aids in efficiency because of the reduction of transportation and pollution costs. The sandstone comes from a local quarry in Balding, Utah.
Company:
Concrete Block Units
Southwest Building Blocks Inc.
522 South Miller Avenue
Farmington, New Mexico
87401
Phone: 505.325.5964
Fax: 505.325.5065
No Web Site
Contact Person:
Randy Paxson
Masonry Contractor
Star Masonry
4290 Highway 64
Kirtland, New Mexico
87417
Phone: 505.598.6136
Fax: 505.598.6255
No Web Site
Quarry
Utah Flagstone
Balding, Utah
- The aluminum entryway includes the entrances of the building and the
high windows on the south facing side of the building. Aluminum was
used for the sliding doors and the window holders. Aluminum is a
material that is regularly recycled, however, aluminum is difficult to
gauge the exact percentage of recycled content. Unfortunately it
takes a lot of manufacturing and resources to recycle. The recycled
aluminum content in the entryway has anywhere from 30% to 80%, and above.
This aluminum is thermally broken, which means that when a window is installed, there are two frames, and this acts as an insulator. The frame does not leak because there is also rubber in-between the aluminum.
Manufacturer
Kawneer Company
Technology Park/ Atlanta
555 Guthridge Court
Norcross, Georgia
30092
Phone 404.449.5555 (incorrect)
Fax 404.263.6133
- The roof is recyclable, and contains pre-finished steel with a minimum
of 25% recycled content.
The sloped steel roof is highly durable and the structure is insulated in order to reduce energy and maintenance costs. The original 1999 steering committee goal for the building was to provide a solar energy feature so the building could produce it’s own energy. Unfortunately the funds were limited and solar panels were unable to be provided. However, the way in which the roof has been installed creates the option for solar panels in the future, and it will be up the to students to decide whether the cost is worth the amount of energy that we can save. As gas and electric costs rise, the solar panels will become more feasible for the school to pay.
When you walk into the Student Life Center there is an open feel in
the building. The interior of the roof adds to this feeling of freeness.
In order to create this feeling of luminous space, the roof has been left
exposed. By not completing the inside ceiling structure there are
less costs for other unnecessary material, thus highly resource efficient.
Like the masonry, the roof has been left alone to show the guts of the
building, as a result there is a more natural sense of openness. One of
the more important sustainable parts of the building is the control of
natural light. The unfinished deck is painted white and helps diffuse
natural light into the space below.
II. Building Structure and Design
- The site for the Student Life Center gave the opportunity to excavate
as little of the land as possible. The design includes stairs and ramps
to different levels in the building and was formed in order to use the
slope of the site. The amount of impact on excavation for the sight was
gradually reduced. “We hate to see money spent on moving dirt,” Kelly Karmel
of Design Balance, the sustainable design consultant noted during a tour
of the building. This concept is resource efficient because of the
reduction on foundation costs. Not only did we reduce the amount
that was excavated but also the dirt was re-used in a different location
on campus, it will be used later in the development of more playing
fields for club activities.
B. Day lighting Design and Building Orientation
- The building’s orientation is the largest factor in working for sustainability.
The front of the building faces the east, which utilizes the morning’s
sunlight, thus reducing on electrical lighting. Angling the building
in a way that it can use as much light as possible is a form of day lighting
design. When the sun is going down, the west side of the building
has many windows to filter light through; this concept is also a form of
energy efficiency as well as passive solar design. East and
west day lighting is more difficult to control, then south and north. The
north side has many smaller windows that are mainly used in bringing natural
light into the gymnasium. The long axis of the building allows maximum
use from the south and north, which allows a reduction of energy use of
electrical lighting.
When the natural light comes into the gym, it bounces off the light
colored ceiling and helps illuminate the space. In order to control
the bright sunlight from the south side of the building and still utilize
its light, windows above the high hallway let natural light shine through
and reflect off the wall surfaces of the main hallway. Not only is
the south sunlight bright, but it also creates interesting designs on the
hallway wall with the filtered light. This brings so much to the
building; the natural beauty of the sun at different times of the day,
and interesting patterns that contribute to the spaciousness and openness
of the building, creating a pleasant earth-friendly environment.
Energy efficiency is a very important feature that the Student Life Center has to offer. The ways that the sun is used in the day lighting design of the building contributes highly to lowering the use of electricity and utility costs. Overall, the more that we try to utilize our renewable natural resources, the less damage we will cause the environment.
Design Team Involved:
Sink Combs, Design Balance and Gordon Gumeson
- The glazing, or glass for the building, is a key element of the day
lighting and energy efficient design. The glazing is molded with
two panes of
glass, one of which is coated with a low emissivity (low-e)
compound (glaze which admits wavelengths of visible light but not most
Infa-red). This glaze has high performance results and is used in
areas of the building that receive the most light. As a result, the glazing
helps keep the building warm in winter and cool in the summer. The
type of low-e coating varies on the North, East, West and South facades
of the building to “tune” the performance to the needs of the building
(high performance and low performance glaze). For example, on the
west side the glazing should reject excess heat and light on a summer afternoon,
whereas the north side glazing should have excellent insulation properties
and admit as much light as possible. However, not all of the widows
are low-e, the cost of these kind of windows is very high, therefore different
places were not as necessary to coat. The skylight consists of a
different material all together, so that the low-E glazing is not necessary
for this source of natural light.
Glaze Producer
Viracon
800 Park Drive
Owatonna, Minnesota
55060
Phone: 507.451.9555
Fax: 507.444.3555
Web Page: www.viracon.com
D. Day lighting and Electric Lighting
- The building is divided into four different strategies that help reduce
our dependence on electrical light. The use of natural light from the day
lighting design helps in reducing the cost of utilities. Day lighting
and passive solar design also brings more natural light into the building
and creates a greater awareness of health and healing from the natural
world.
1. Hallway
- The main hallway primarily utilizes the natural light that bounces
off the roof underside and the masonry interior walls. However, when
the sun is not bright, there are some compact florescent bulbs in the hallway,
which are not as energy efficient as the goals hoped for. However, these
bulbs are better than other options for electrical lighting. The
solution to this problem is computerized sensors (Photocells) that detect
when there is a need for more light. When a higher level of illumination
is needed the electric lights come on. These sensors automatically turn
the exterior lights on or off when illumination is needed. The costs
for automatic sensors that brighten or dim the interior electric bulbs,
depending on the illumination needs of the hallway, were too expensive
to install, but we hope that they will be considered in the future.
2. Gymnasium
- Upon entering the gym one notices something different from other gymnasium
facilities.
The lights are not hovering and creating circles of spotlights
on the floor. The Student Life Center gymnasium uses indirect lighting
to create an even distribution of light. There are three levels of
illumination. Higher and lower light control are used in the gym for the
upper track and the lower courts. Natural light from the windows above
the track create indirect light. The light fixtures are aimed towards the
ceiling and bounce off of the unfinished white painted ceiling in order
to create an even luminous distribution of light. These fixtures
require large amounts of electricity and are not as resource efficient
as the students had hoped for. However, these lights can be switched off,
half on, or fully on depending on the activity in the gym. They are fairly
efficient, and the indirect light creates a perceived brighter space. There
are 18 fixtures in the new gym and compared to our old gym, these lights
produce two times the amount of light.3. Main Lobby
A translucent panel skylight in the main desk area provides natural
light for the cardio room and the information area below. This skylight
does not have the high tech features of the Infra-red windows that keep
the heat of the sun out, but the glass is not clear and blocks some heat
gain. These features are explained in better detail in section II.
C. Like every skylight, it simply reduces the costs of electrical
light during the day, and has a light transmission of 56%.
4. Rooms
- Meeting rooms in the building have T-12 florescent lamps, which are
more energy efficient then other florescent lamps. In the future
we hope that occupancy sensors will be installed to turn the lights on
and off automatically.
Companies:
Skylight:
CPI International
28662 North Ballard Drive
Lake Forest, Illinois
60045
Phone: 847.816.1060
Fax: 847.816.0425
Web Site: www.cpilighting.com
Email: cpi@cpidaylighting.com
Gym Lights
SPI Lighting Incorporated
10,400 North Enterprise Drive
Mequon, WS
53092
Phone: 262.242.1420
Fax: 262.242.6414
Web Site: www.spilighting.com
Email: spi@spilighting.com
1. Wood
Most wood that is harvested in and out of the United States is generally from unsustainably logged forests. One of the goals the students were looking for in the lumber products was a source that contributed to the forests and utilized sustainable practices. These practices include
harvesting
that promotes bio-diversity, replaces and replants what is taken out and
protects the eco-system. These are some of the different ways that
timber companies can reduce the destruction of our natural habitat. Instead
of burning and slashing to extract the wood, these companies harvest selected
trees and/or replant trees to reduce the impact of our eco-system. Wood
in the Student Life Center is certified and harvested from managed forests
in compliance with the Smart Wood program of the Rainforest Alliance (international
non-profit conservation organization) or certified with the Forest Stewardship
Council and are products produced from sustainable managed forests.
a. Gym Floor
The gym floor is maple flooring, and is in compliance with the Smart Wood program. The wood is #3 flooring, which is a multi-purpose surface. #3 flooring is better environmentally because it uses different grades of wood, which enables a good serviceable floor. The 19 thousand square foot #3 flooring creates diversity in color, grain variation and provides for a much more natural overall look, and is often selected for its character.
The original design called for a water-based polyurethane/(less toxic) sealer for the wood flooring. However, it was decided that the oil based sealer, which is more toxic and contains more VOC’s, would be better because of the less frequent refinishing that it will take to keep the floor in good shape. Water-based sealers require far more re-covering than oil-based sealers, hence the decision is based on the line of what is more efficient; re-covering the floors often, or not as frequent, but with a larger quantity of toxic material.
The floor is high performance and because of its size, it is easiest
to explain as a floating floor. There are layers of plywood underneath
that support the floor and enable it to bounce back for cushion.
The plywood pieces have a strip of 95 % recycled rubber that is attached
for its resilience quality. The reason that I am explaining the floor
as floating is because they are approximately three to four inches in between
the floor and the wall for expansion and reduction of the wood during hot
and cold periods.
b. Racquet Ball and Aerobic Courts
The wood that was used for these rooms is called #1 flooring, in which the facing floor has less defects and color differential. The purpose of this wood is for competition. (In a racquetball court everything must be of the same color to avoid visual distractions of light)
Companies:
Wood:
Connor Sports Corp.
545 East Algonquin Road Suit L
Arlington Heights, Illinois
60005
Phone: 847.290.9020
Fax: 847.290.9034
Email: sportflr@connorfloor.com
Toll Free: 800.283.9522
Oil Finish
Magee Company
5300 West 127th Street
Alsip, Illinois
60803
Toll Free: 800.786.2433
Phone: 708.389.3745
Fax: 508.485.9998
Web Site: www.butchers.com
Other Links: Robbin Inc.
Hillyord
The carpet has recycled content of 50% minimum, and can be recycled at the end of its useful life in an environmentally responsible manner. This program reuses 100% of the current carpet to create a new-value added product. The adhesive system is made from 100% recycled material and was created at the time it was manufactured. The adhesive system is also a water-based adhesive with zero VOC’s, which protects indoor air quality.
Over the years Europe has promoted excellent recycling policies, one of those includes companies that you rent your carpet from and they in turn recycle it for you. Unfortunately this concept has not caught on in America. Most carpets are left to fill landfills after their short life of use. However, there are a small number of companies that are starting to practice more sustainable ways of reusing fiber material. The manufacturer that was used has a 1-800 number that will be called when the lifetime is up, and they will be able to recycle it back into carpet on other fiber-based products.
Solution die is used in the carpet and it’s base. Solution dye is more durable and requires less prone to bleaching or discoloration.
The Base Carpet: 60% solution Die, 40% Yarn Dye
The Carpet: 55% Solution Die, 45% Yarn Dye
The majority of larger buildings use a rubber wall base to protect the wall from the wear and tear of vacuums and other maintenance cleaners. The Student Life Center chose to use carpet whenever possible, instead. Carpet as a wall base is more durable and easier to maintain than a vinyl or rubber wall base. Carpet can also be recycled, whereas there are no current programs to recycle rubber base or vinyl base.
Company:
Collins and Ailkman Floor Coverings
311 Smith Industrial Boulevards
Post Office Box 1447
Dalton, Georgia
30722-1447
Phone: 706.259.9711
Toll Free: 800.241.4902 ext. 2691
Web Site: www.powerbond.com
*Unfortunately the yarn is 100% Dupont Nylon. This means that
there is no actual recycled material in the yarn.
The main hallway’s/gallery’s floor is extremely resource efficient.
Most people don’t consider concrete to be a natural product, however it
is, and it is very simple to make. The floor is made of concrete that has
been stained instead of adding other final finish material such as tile
or carpet. The concrete is stained with a water-based pigment that
is less toxic than other coatings. By using water-based pigment there
is a lower count of VOC’s, which helps protect indoor air quality.
By leaving the concrete as it is, there is less maintenance or repair.
This is a very durable way to create a hallway that will have high traffic
and lots of wear and tear. It just seams like the natural thing to
do. The finish and pre-stain is a water based latex blend.
This way of sealing the concrete creates a breathable membrane within the
substructure. The topcoat is a polyurethane blend that creates highly
durable coating for vehicle and pedestrian traffic.
Company:
Semco Manufacture of Industrial Floor Coatings
2021 Zearing Avenue NW
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Phone: 505.247.4522
Fax: 505.243.0885
Web: www.aaasolar.com
Email: smitty@aaasolar.com
Other Information: There is 240 grams a liter of VOC’s which is
fairly low.
Some of the track floor is made form recycled material and some of
it is from virgin sources. This floor can also be recycled at the end of
its life.
a. Weight/Cardio Room
- Almost all of the floor in the weight and cardio room is recycled and
can be recycled at the end of its life. This weight/cardio floor
surface is highly durable with an excellent abrasive resistance.
It is fire resistant and helps with noise reduction. The pecan color
mats can be maintained by a water extraction process to clean stains.
This way of cleaning is less toxic and helps keep the rubber in good shape
for a longer lifetime. The squares that are used can be replaced
without tearing up the entire surface. It is a post-industrial product
and we like it.
b. Track Floor
Foot traffic is the main purpose of the track; therefore the need for durability is essential. Rubber is one of the easiest materials to recycle and the durability is the same as new product rubber. The track material has a high abrasive resistive coat for long life. This also includes features such as noise resistance, strength of material, bounce (cushy for the feet), and fire resistance.
This surface is environmentally safe by design because the material is prefabricated rubber and is created with all recycled rubber granules. The granule material consists of plungers, water bottles and tires. The red color is highly recycled material and the black and tan colors have a lower content. There are no solvents, mineral fillers or pigments. The backing for this product is also up to 90% recycled content. The company does not use PCB’s, fluorocarbons, formaldehyde, lead, mercury or metals in the material.
Rubbers and metals are the easiest material to recycle and are just
as durable as virgin rubber and metal. Tennis courts and other outside
recreation facilities, which use recycled rubber, are just as long lasting
as un-recycled materials.
Cardio/Weight Floor
Tuflex Rubber Flooring
Division of Rubber Products Inc.
4521 West, Crest Avenue
Tampa, Florida
33614
Phone: 813.870.0390
Toll Free: 800.543.0390
Fax: 313.875.2312
Web Site: www.tuflex.com
Email: tuflexl@gte.net
Track Floor
Connor Sports Flooring Corporation
Corporate Offices
251 Industrial Park Road
Amasa, Michigan
49903
Phone: 906.822.7311
Fax: 906.822.7800
Toll Free: 800.833.7144
Web Site: www.connorfloor
.com
Other recycled rubber Companies:
- Mondo Sports Surfaces
Pawling Corporation
Robbins Sport Surfaces
Martin Surfacing Inc.
No Fault Industries
Southwest Recreational Industries
Other Information: the rubber that Connor uses comes from Dodge
Regapol.
1. Steel/Metal
The recycled content in different steel ranges from 68% to 95%.
The 95% applies to the small products such as steel studs. The larger
structural members are 68% recycled because there are more structural
requirements,
and they are larger making the material more durable.
The steel/metal materials that are used because it is a very durable
material with a high recycled content and are completely recyclable.
One of the architectural goals of the building was to have a feel of health
and awareness. The way that the metal has been placed in the gym’s
ceiling and the main stair area is structurally important as well as spatially
pleasing. The way that the metal and steel were placed is also resource
efficient because it has not been covered up with unnecessary materials.
This allows for the light to show through the unfinished features and visually
shows how sturdy the building is, while bringing a feeling of openness.
Companies:
Open-web steel joints
SMI Joist
2121 Trento Lane
Fallon, Nevada
89406
Phone: 702.867.2130
Fax: 888.867.2140
Toll Free: 888.643.1577
All Structural Steel
Glenco, Inc.
Structural Steel Fabrications
4600 Mabry Drive
Clovis, New Mexico
88101
Phone: 505.763.4414
Fax: 505.762.2944
No Web Site
Steel Stud Wall Framing
Dietrich Metal Framing a Worthington Industries
- All of the paint in the building was specified to have very low volatile
organic compound (VOC’s). VOC’s are proven irritants to the respiratory
track and adversely affect indoor air quality. The “smell” of latex
and oil-based paints come largely from the VOC’s. These smells most
people think to be good because they are new and freshly a painted, however,
VOC’s are very unhealthy. The paint that was used is least toxic and keeps
a clean environment with as little chemicals as possible. Latex paint
is water-based. When the paint was wet there was a zero VOC content,
once the building was painted even highly volatile products stabilize when
they dry and now there are no VOC’s since the paint is dry. This is good
quality paint.
Company:
Paint
Sherwin Williams Inc.
3000 Main Ave.
Durango, CO
81301
Phone: 247 4800
Fax: 970.382.8514
Web Site: www.sherwin-williams.com
The initial goal of the students was to find a tile containing at least
15% recycled content. Fortunately, the company that was found provides
a product that is 55% recycled glass and other select ceramic materials.
This is an environmentally friendly product that is located in the boys
and girls’ locker rooms and other restrooms in the building. The
product is meant to be floor tile, but it looks jazzy on the walls.
Company:
Tile
Terra Green Ceramics Inc.
1650 Progress Drive
Richmond, Indiana
Phone: 765.935.4760
Fax: 765.935.3971
Web Site: www.terragreenceramics.com
Email: custsrv@terragreenceramics.com
1. Counter Tops/Particle
Board:
- The soybean bio-composite countertops are 100% recycled. It is
made from newspaper content and agricultural waste that is renewable and
plentiful. There are no formaldehydes or other toxic compounds in
the material. This particleboard is even more durable than plastics
or stone. When it wears down, the same material shows through so
that it last ten to twelve times longer then other products. It is
bound with soybean paste, and is post consumer and post industrial.
Company:
Bio-composite Producer
Phoenix Bio-Composite
1880 S. Pierce Street
Lakewood, Colorado
80232
Phone: 303.935.7806 (disconnected)
2. Millwork/
MDF Panel board:
Millwork is fabricated architectural woodwork. The boards that are
used on the top front of the cabinetwork are created out of an agriboard
that comes from un-used agricultural waste (post industrial). The
boards are a blend of different bio-based resins. This material is
100% recycled from agricultural waste that would otherwise be burned.
The tan colored product is highly resource efficient with no resin or formaldehydes.
The company calls the brand RANGER MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard).
The clear water based seal helps with low VOC requirements, while the board’s natural feel lets the material just be the material. This material takes little to no maintenance work and has long lifetime expectancy.
Companies:
The Panel Boards
Blue Ridge Lumber
P.O. Box 1079
Whicecourt, Alberta
Canada, T7S199
Phone: 408.648.6200
Fax: 408.648.6397
No Web Site
Composite Lumber
Boardwall
Certainteed Corporation
PO Box 860
Valley Ford, Pennsylvania
19482
Installers
San Juan Woodworks
60 Barton Circle
Arboles, Colorado
81121
Phone: 970.883.3029
Fax: 970.883.2622
No Web Site
3. Office Furniture
The company that was chosen collects large office building furniture
that is old and in need of restoration. They strip the old material and
laminates off and replace and repaint the furniture with new material.
This is a way to recycle furniture instead of simply filling dumps.
Company:
Consolidated Office Distributors
16355 South 7th Street
San Jose, California
95112
Or
696 North 8th Street
San Jose, California
95112
Phone: 408.993.1100
Web Site: www.cod.net
- There were many options when it came to installing different materials
for the locker room floors. Tile was the original product that was
submitted for use. However, the design team came across a sheet product
that is 100% recycled rubber and has vinyl chips and a mica additive for
reflection and abrasive purposes. This product is recyclable and
has a long life span. It also provides a non-slip surface, when the floors
are wet.
Company:
Forbo Industries
17332 Vonkarman Avenue
Irvine, California
92614
Phone: 949.852.2444
Fax: 949.852.2450
Web Site: www.forbo.com
5. Entry Mats
- The heavy duty mats in the entryways on the north and south sides of
the building provide foot mats to help reduce the amount of wear and tear
that the foot traffic creates in the building. The throw down mats
are a durable surface which is made from 100% recycled rubber strips made
from old tires.
- The environmental fixtures that were used in the building require less
maintenance/cleaning than non-environmental products, therefore reducing
the amount of chemicals that are necessary to clean the center. The custodial
staff that takes care of the building is an in-house staff, this means
that they only work on the Student Life Center, and not any other buildings
on the Fort Lewis College campus. The school has not purchased cleaners
for the building yet. However, different tests are being evaluated in order
to find environmentally safe products to maintain the building.
| There are built in bins for glass, aluminum, mixed paper and plastic inside of the building. The rest of recycling on campus has a different funded solution. This building has it’s own recycling costs built into the building operation costs which is separated from the rest of the college. The neat thing about the recycling bins in the Student Life Center is that their purpose is to reduce, reuse and recycle, but they are constructed out of recycled materials. The particleboard and the panel board were used to construct these bins. |  |
| The hand and feet holders from the original FLC climbing wall were attached onto the new climbing wall instead of buying new products. |
|
E. Waste (Reduction) Construction Management
- One of the original goals of the building construction was to implement
a waste management program so that on site material that was not used,
was not wanted, and could be recycled. During the building operations
there were different methods for disposing waste, and many efforts towards
recycling the unusable products. The on site contractor created a
speck file to record different times throughout construction where materials
were reused. An example of this would be the week when the wood was
being installed for the floors. If there were leftovers, the workers
were allowed to take it home and put it to good use. Another example
would be the excess tin and sheet metal that was not used. This material
was hauled off to the recycling yard so that it too could be reused in
the future. It is important to realize that when building sustainably
that not only the building itself is important, but also everything that
happens in creating that building plays a role in the environmental impact
of the project.
Cellulous: A substance that is used in manufacturing paper,
textiles and
explosives. Cellulous is made from compounding the fibers of
plants.
Energy Efficient: Using less energy to perform the same task. A devise is energy-efficient if it provides comparable or better quality of service while using less energy than a conventional technology. Building weatherization or high-efficiency showerheads are energy efficient.
Epoxy: A substance that is used as a strong, hard resistance
adhesive after used
in glues and enamel coating.
Fluorocarbons: A noncreative organic compound that contains
carbon, fluorine,
and in some cases hydrogen; used in aerosols, lubricants and electrical
indicators
Formaldehyde: A colorless pungent used as a strong disinfectant
and
preservative in the manufacture of synthetic resins, dyes etc.
Latex: Natural or synthetic rubber or plastics that are
used in adhesives
and paints
Low Volatile Organic Chemicals (VOC’s): Low odor, density
is lighter than air
and has limited off gassing.
Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF):
Melamine: a resin that uses compounding formaldehydes and
melamine
(Ammonium thiocyanate) that is used in the creation of molding
and laminating
compounds in making dishes, utensils, and for the student life
center the counter
Tops.
Metal: The material in which steel is constructed from.
Any class of chemical
elements such as iron, aluminum, gold etc., which someone can
make objects.
Passive Solar Design: Systems that collect, move, and store
heat using natural
heat-transfer mechanisms such as condition and air convention currents.
Simply,
the control of the suns rays for a natural light inside, instead of
using electricity.
Photocell Censors: Electronic censors used to control the amount of light that emits form electrical bulbs depending on how much light is needed for the area.
Post Consumer: Products that can be recycled after consumer use. An example of this would be aluminum can that was recycled and made into something useful.
Post Industrial: Products that can be recycled after industrial use. An example of this would be wasted cornhusks that can be recycled into particleboard.
Recyclable: A product that is recyclable has the potential to be recycled and used again to make new products.
Recycled Content: An item that contains some pre-consumer or post-consumer content. Read the label carefully to verify the percentage of post-consumer content.
Resin: An organic substance extracted from various plants and
trees; natural
resins are soluble in ether, alcohol and are also used for varnishes,
lacquers and
modifiers in synthetic plastics.
Solar Orientation: Reduction of energy use by orienting
buildings to make use of
passive solar heating, day lightling, and natural cooling. This
takes advantage of
direct and indirect sunlight.
Sustainability: Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Solvent Based: Solvents are one of the causes of VOC’s.
Look for water,
vegetable, or citrus bases.
Steel: Hard tough metal composed of iron alloy with
various small percentages
of Carbon and often with other various metals, such as nickel,
chromium,
magnesium, etc., in order to produce hardness and resistance
to rusting.
Water Base Polyurethane: A seal that contains water as a base
(instead of oil or
other toxic chemicals) that is generally used as a coat or seal
over wood, or
countertop materials. By using water as a base, there is
less toxicity in the VOC
output.
Client:
Fort Lewis College
Physical Plant Services
Project Management
1000 Rim Drive
Durango, Colorado
81301
Phone: 970.247.7000
Fax: 970. 247.7555
Architect:
Sink Combs Dethlefs Inc.
2215 Market Street Suite 200
Denver, Colorado
80205
Phone: 303.308.0200
Fax: 303.308.0222
Web: www.sinkcombs.com
Project Architect:
Chris Kastelik
Phone: 303.308.0200
Kastelik@sinkcombs.com
Associate Architect:
R. Michael Bell and Associates Inc.
922 E. 2nd Avenue
Durango, Colorado
81301
Phone: 970.259.1078
Fax: 970.247.9559
On Site Architect:
Steve Eccher
970.259.1078
seccher@rmbell.com
General Contractor:
Colorado Jaynes Construction Inc.
162 Stewart Street
Durango, Colorado
81303
Phone: 970.247.1831
Fax: 970.247.0338
Web: www.coloradojaynes.com
Project Manager:
Robert Lea
Superintendent:
Nathan Kerr
contact@coloradojaynes.com
Mechanical/Electrical Engineer:
Gordon Gumeson and Associates, Inc.
7430 East Caley Avenue Suite 200
Englewood, Colorado
80111
Phone: 303.779.1222
Fax: 303.694.9144
Structural Engineer:
Martin/Martin
4251 Kipling
Wheat Ridge, Colorado
80033
Phone: 303.431.6100
Fax: 303.431.6866
Civil Engineer:
McLaughlin Water Engineers, Inc.
2420 Alcott Street
Denver, Colorado
80211
Phone: 303.458.5550
Fax: 303.480.9766
Sustainable Design:
Design Balance
9000 Dark Horse Road
P.O. Box 7214
Missoula, Montana
59807
Phone: 406.721.7077
Fax: 406.721.3035
Web: www.design-balance.com
Sustainable Design Consultant:
Kelly A. Karmel
Phone: 406.721.7077
Fax: 406.721.3035
Email: Info@design-balance.com
- National Park Services: Guiding Principles of Sustainable Design
- Bio Thinking: Sustainable Products
- Centre for Sustainable Design
- University of Minnesota Sustainable Design Guide
- Second Nature: Education for Sustainability
- Sustainable Business.com
- Sustainable Design for Schools
- Fort Lewis College Environmental Center