keeping energy costs low.” The complex also features a


“green” roof with a specialized mix of peat and soil that allows for vegetative and environmen- tal experimentation. “The soil is an insulator and


provides better storm water run- off management,” Moore says. “It allows different plant options, similar to other green roof instal- lations across the state.” New low-flow sinks and du-


al-flush toilets reduce water use by about 30 percent. The base- ment floods that used to occur in the Mark Jefferson Building after a hard rain are now history. The new rain garden along the main pedestrian pathway filters and detains storm water runoff. “The rain garden redirects


water into a bioswale about 500 feet from the building,” Moore says. “It prevents overtaxing of the storm water system by acting as a retaining pond, com- plete with grasses and other plants that form a small oasis within a grassy area.” Environmental responsibility


also extended to the construc- tion process. Wood, drywall, masonry and other items that would have gone to a landfill were recycled. “Our construction goal was


to achieve a 50 percent recycle rate,” Moore says. “We reached 83 percent. The contractors did a great job at recycling–from concrete and pallets to packag- ing materials.”


Training Tomorrow’s Scientists


Beyond energy savings,


building planners designed the interior spaces of the complex for maximum efficiency and flexibility. The design allows for greater student interaction,


enhanced learning opportuni- ties and more interdisciplinary collaboration. Ross Nord, professor and


chair of the chemistry depart- ment, was a member of the building advisory committee. He’s excited about the new laboratory spaces in the com- plex designed for 21st century science. “Eastern didn’t have as


strong a focus on research when the Mark Jefferson Building was constructed,” Nord says. “The labs were ‘cookie cutter’ and not specific to the way courses are taught today. Now, research is a key part of our teaching and scholarly mission—we’re work- ing one-on-one in mentoring relationships to train the next generation of scientists. That’s why it was so important to cre- ate flexible lab spaces that can be configured to suit particular research needs. They’re also ADA-compliant for students with disabilities.” The complex contains


interdisciplinary lab suites that allow faculty from different departments to share space and equipment. “We often have depart-


mental overlap on research projects,” Nord says. “The new complex creates more opportu- nities to exchange dialogue and share resources. For example, we don’t have to buy multiple pieces of expensive scientific equipment for simultaneous projects, which saves money.” Students enjoy larger in-


structional laboratories, study areas, meeting rooms and “hang out” spaces that encour- age collaboration. “Making the Science Com-


plex as green as possible was a given,” Nord says. “Our primary


The suspended spherical planetarium classroom can be viewed from four floors below.


focus was to construct a building that best serves current and future students. We don’t know what technological advances will come in the next 20 years, but the new complex is very flex-


ible. Students have many more opportunities for advanced research that weren’t available in the old building.”


—Jeff Samoray Green by the Numbers 10”-12”


The depth of the specialized soil on the lower level “green” roof of the Science Complex. The roof, visible from levels 4-6, acts as an insulator and provides opportunities for en- vironmental and plant studies.


$400,000


The additional dollars Eastern won’t have to spend each year on utilities for the entire Science Complex. The new addition and renovated Mark Jefferson Build- ing will have 30 percent more square footage than the old building, but will use the same amount of energy.


2,300 tons


The amount of Science Complex construction waste


diverted to recycling centers instead of landfills. That’s 10 times the amount of material recycled on campus per year.


1,020,000 gallons


Low-flow sinks and toilets in the science facilities will cut water use by about 30%, sav- ing more than a million gallons each year.


1.8 million kilowatt hours


The amount of electricity the entire science facility will save compared to consumption in the old Mark Jefferson Build- ing. That equals the amount of electricity consumed annually by 1,400 average American homes. At about seven cents per kWh, that’s an annual cost savings of $126,000.


Eastern | WINTER 2011 7


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