The recently completed University Center Complex (UCC) at Stevens Institute of Technology earned the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certification. This honor, given by the United States Green Building Council, is awarded for buildings made with low-waste construction practices and sustainable design features. The UCC is the second building on Stevens’ campus to earn the LEED Gold certification, the first being the Gateway Academic Center which was completed in 2020, showing Stevens’ commitment to green energy and sustainability.
According to Robert Maffia, the Vice President for Facilities and Operations, the UCC was originally intended to achieve the LEED Silver Certification. However, as the project was underway, it became clear that a few small changes could lead to the satisfaction of all LEED Gold requirements. After some minor adjustments, this goal was achieved. This success has set the bar high and Stevens will aim for similarly impressive sustainability features when planning new buildings in the future. When referring to the LEED Gold Certification, Maffia stated, “that’s the new bar now.”
One of the sustainability highlights of the UCC is the materials used. All materials were sourced within a 500-mile radius. This limited distance reduced the fuel and energy needed to transport materials. Additionally, construction managers carefully made an effort to minimize the materials needed to further promote waste reduction. As a result, less energy was wasted in making unneeded materials and there is no need for extra items to be sent to landfills. In order to make this happen, the construction crew was involved in careful planning and measurements prior to ordering materials as well as thoughtful action taken to use materials efficiently once they arrived.
The design of the UCC promotes the use of natural sunlight with the large windows lining the entire exterior which brings light into each residence room and lounge. The lights that are within the UCC are fully LED and operate with reduced energy usage. Air filtration systems installed use energy-efficient motors to circulate the air and improve air quality without the need for high amounts of electricity. Energy is further reduced by occupancy sensors which are utilized throughout the UCC.
The water efficiency practices in the UCC include low-flow plumbing sinks and toilets in each residence room as well as the bathrooms in shared spaces. There is a plaza between the residence towers to collect rainwater which is then used to irrigate the plants surrounding the UCC. Additional rainwater harvesting and reuse are done by green roofs, rain gardens, and a bioretention planter. These are all implemented in the area surrounding the UCC and between the South tower and Harries tower.
Overall, the UCC LEED Gold Certification is an example of sustainable and environmentally conscious action taken at Stevens. “We do feel we have a responsibility to the planet,” Maffia said, “What’s even better is that our students embrace using green technology, so our commitment to sustainability is important to them too.”
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