Students in courtyard in front of the library.

College Advancement

College Advancement
Phone 757.455.3242
Fax 757.461.4944

 

Key to the Future Campaign Update

Leading-Edge Features of the Platinum Green Laboratory Science Building

The science building is actually a giant laboratory itself. Students will study, conduct research, interact and participate in measuring, monitoring and re-calibrating the performance of the green elements of the facility over a 40-year period. Some of the planned green elements include:

  • Reduced site disturbance. Older growth trees and select vegetation will be kept. Sited to take advantage of natural light and wind.
  • Reduced energy consumption by up to 40% with day lighting from windows, specially designed sun shades to limit heat gain in the summer and permit heat transmission in the winter and occupancy sensors for lighting controls.
  • Energy conservation through an economizer cycle in each air handling system. This feature allows up to 100% outside air to be used for cooling, when conditions are favorable, to reduce or eliminate the need for mechanical refrigeration.
  • Capture and use of renewable energy resources to provide up to 20% of the needs of the building with solar hot water heating, photovoltaic panels and/or wind turbines.
  • Green roof will give greater insulation to the building and provide a 40-year roof lifespan rather than the typical 20-year lifespan.
  • Collected storm water runoff will be filtered in a rain garden planted with indigenous flora.
  • Remaining storm water runoff will be collected in cisterns and used to irrigate plants in the greenhouse.
  • Efficient enclosure with south-facing glass, super insulated exterior walls and roof and high performance coatings on window glazing and higher performance seals.
  • At least 20% of the building materials manufactured within 500 miles of the project and all materials will be recycled, renewable or certified green sustainable materials.
  • Potable water usage for sewage conveyance will be reduced by installing super low volume toilets, waterless urinals and occupancy sensor fixture controls and using gray water/harvested rainwater for toilet flushing.
  • Exhibit wall running the length of the building that will display information about the building's systems monitoring and sustainable materials.