The new $64 million Oakland University Human Health Building has become the first LEED Platinum certified building on a university campus in Michigan.
Designed by SmithGroupJJR, the 160,260-square-foot, five-story, terra cotta-clad building, built on the former site of a parking lot and an untended natural wetland, today features some of the industry’s most innovative, energy-efficient building systems and advanced sustainable design features.
The project’s primary funding of $40 million came from the State of Michigan legislature’s Capital Outlay Program. Then, to achieve the highest LEED rating – Platinum -- while staying on budget, Oakland University, assisted by SmithGroupJJR, successfully pursued a $2.7 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, allowing the project to proceed with a full geothermal and renewable energy system.
“The collaboration between Oakland University, SmithGroupJJR and The Christman Company truly benefitted our ability to design and build the most energy-efficient and sustainable building on any college campus in Michigan,” said Terry Stollsteimer, associate vice president, facilities management, Oakland University.
The facility’s energy systems are designed to save an estimated 35% in energy costs annually compared to the LEED prescribed “baseline” building.
A geothermal field, consisting of 340 wells built 320 feet underneath the university’s main parking lot, uses the earth as an energy source for heat pumps that efficiently provide heating and cooling for the building.
A total of 117 vacuum tube solar thermal panels provide “free” heat for the building in the wintertime, the desiccant dehumidification system in the summertime, and domestic water heating all year round. Four, 25,000-gallon underground tanks store any excess solar generated hot water until it’s needed.
A rooftop photovoltaic system, comprised of more than 200 solar panels covering 3,600 square feet, provides 45 kilowatts or 3% of the building’s power.
“Environmentally friendly buildings have shown to have positive effects on the quality of their occupants’ health, so it was easy for the university to decide that the new Human Health Building should be highly sustainable,” said Chris Purdy, AIA, LEED AP, SmithGroupJJR principal-in-charge for the project. SmithGroupJJR provided architectural design and development; mechanical, electrical, plumbing, structural and civil engineering; lab planning; interior design; landscape design and LEED certification and documentation.
The building’s environmental friendliness doesn’t end with the innovative, energy-efficient building systems. Outside, a grand porch created by the overhang of the upper floors protects faculty offices from the solar heat gain of a southern exposure. Exterior offices are outfitted with vertical sunshades and fritted glass to reduce glare and cut down on outside heat. Rainwater from the roof is collected and stored in a below-grade cistern, and used for site irrigation.
Inside the building, an elongated floor plan with floor-to-ceiling windows allows for abundant access to natural light and views of outdoor spaces. The interior’s use of recycled, regional and low-VOC materials includes sealed cork floors and bamboo cabinets, and walls are made with insulated cinderblock to reduce energy costs. Daylight and occupant sensors are used throughout the building to reduce energy use by occupants.
Directly south of the building is a towering, 100-year-old Oak tree that was integrated into the site design, rather than cleared. The site’s natural wetland was rehabilitated with native vegetation and invasive species were removed, thereby creating an outdoor lounge and gathering place for students.
About the Human Health Building, Oakland University
The Human Health Building (HHB) was conceived after increased student enrollment caused the university’s School of Nursing and School of Health Sciences to outgrow their separate facilities. The university envisioned a new building on the northwest corner of its 1,441-acre campus to allow the two schools a collaborative setting and an unprecedented opportunity for interaction among students, facility and community partners. Completed in August 2012, the HHB is the first structure constructed as part of the university’s proposed Health Quadrant Campus Master Plan, developed by SmithGroupJJR.
The HHB pairs advanced classrooms and hands-on instructional spaces with amenities that replicate those found in hospitals and community health centers – including a public clinic, simulation labs, and clinical and physical therapy labs. An emphasis was placed on student spaces; two-story, natural light-filled, “living room” areas on the fourth floor give students a place to gather before or after class. To learn more about the HHB from the design and construction team, go to: http://www.oakland.edu/?id=26078&sid=228
About SmithGroupJJR
SmithGroupJJR (www.smithgroupjjr.com) is a national leader in sustainable design, with 361 LEED Accredited Professionals on staff. The Oakland University HHB marks SmithGroupJJR’s 90th LEED certified project and its 11th LEED Platinum certification. The firm’s nationally recognized Learning Practice has completed the planning and design of educational facilities on over 350 campuses worldwide.
About LEED
The U.S. Green Building Council's LEED green building certification system is the foremost program for the design, construction and operation of green buildings. By using less energy, LEED-certified buildings save money for families, businesses and taxpayers; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and contribute to a healthier environment for residents, workers and the larger community. For more information, visit www.usgbc.org.
Related Stories
| Dec 2, 2011
What are you waiting for? BD+C's 2012 40 Under 40 nominations are due Friday, Jan. 20
Nominate a colleague, peer, or even yourself. Applications available here.
| Dec 2, 2011
Legrand joins White House initiative to spur energy efficiency in commercial buildings
Company agrees to aggressive energy savings and reporting.
| Dec 2, 2011
Goody Clancy awarded Ohio State residential project
The project, which is focused on developing a vibrant on-campus community of learning for OSU undergraduates.
| Dec 1, 2011
Nauset Construction breaks ground on Massachusetts health care center
The $20 million project is scheduled to be completed by December 2012.
| Dec 1, 2011
Ground broken on first LEED Platinum designed school house built by volunteers
Phoenix public school receives the generous gift of a state-of-the-art building for student and community use.
| Dec 1, 2011
VLK Architects’ office receives LEED certification
The West 7th development, which houses the firm’s office, was designed to be LEED for Core & Shell, which gave VLK the head start on finishing out the area for LEED Silver Certification CI.
| Nov 29, 2011
First EPD awarded to exterior roof and wall products manufacturer
EPD is a standardized, internationally recognized tool for providing information on a product’s environmental impact.
| Nov 29, 2011
Suffolk Construction breaks ground on Boston residential tower
Millennium Place III is a $220 million, 256-unit development that will occupy a full city block in Boston’s Downtown Crossing.
| Nov 29, 2011
Report finds credit crunch accounts for 20% of nation’s stalled projects
Persistent financing crunch continues to plague design and construction sector.
| Nov 29, 2011
SB Architects completes Mission Hills Volcanic Mineral Springs and Spa in China
Mission Hills Volcanic Mineral Springs and Spa is home to the largest natural springs reserve in the region, and measures 950,000 sf.
