Lawrence Today magazine, Fall 2009
An Environmentally Sustainable Way of Life
One aspect of the Warch Campus Center construction was of particular importance to the Lawrence community— creating a “green” building. Lawrence worked closely with Uihlein-Wilson Architects, Inc., and Boldt Construction to create a facility in keeping with the college’s sustainable initiatives. Jeff Clark, associate professor of geology and faculty associate to the president for the Green Roots™ committee, said it was crucial for Lawrence to construct a building that was environmentally friendly. “Through environmental studies classes we challenge students to think critically about their impact on the environment. As an institution we need to practice what we preach in terms of sustainability.”
Clark said one of the most interesting features of the building is its green roof. Drought-resistant plants sit on top of six to eight inches of soil. The plants absorb the sunlight, which helps keep the building cooler. According to Clark, the plants also reduce runoff by utilizing the rainwater. The soil acts as an insulator to keep the heat in during the winter and the heat out in the summer.
The building site itself is also impressive, said Clark. “The hill which it is built into provides natural insulation which will keep it cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. The large windows to the south and west help light the building and heat it in the winter.” Native vegetation was chosen for the landscaping.
Other sustainable features include diverting more than 700 million pounds of construction waste from landfills, the installation of water efficient plumbing fixtures, a reduction in excessive artificial light (eliminating light pollution) and HVAC and electrical systems designed to use up to 30 percent less energy than the industry standard. Lawrence is anticipating that the Warch Campus Center will at least receive silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. LEED® provides benchmarks for water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.
