New Davies Center sustainability highlights Tuesday meeting
LEED certification is possible, group taking comments until Friday
Tara Cegla
Issue date: 4/23/09 Section: Campus News
A meeting Tuesday discussed the proposed sustainability plans for the new Davies Center and the possibility for a LEED silver certification.
Dennis Johnson, the supervisor for environmental services at Ayres Associates, explained the timeline for the next few months in regards to sustainability. The team is taking comments until Friday, which is when they will devise an environmental impact draft. There will be another meeting in September to receive comments that will help finalize the environmental impact statement, which will be turned into the Wisconsin Environmental Policy Act.
"Sustainability is a big part of the project and an important consideration, and the building is currently planned to be designed at a LEED silver certification at a minimum," Johnson said.
Janine Glaeser, project architect and LEED AP Project Manager, said it's not a for-sure thing that the university will have LEED certification for the new Davies Center.
"I think it's very likely that you're going to have a very green building that meets your LEED silver certification," Glaeser said.
The one thing that would prevent the certification is the price tag, Glaeser said, because it's a pricey process.
"I think a lot of people would rather see that money put into the building rather than a certification process," she said. "We can still build a sustainable, healthy building that meets the criteria, but we might not spend that extra several thousand possibly to get the LEED certification."
Junior Isaac Borofka-Webb is excited about the prospect of having LEED certification.
"I'm glad that they're paying attention to taking care of the Little Niagara and the green roof is encouraging," Borofka-Webb said. "I would like to see higher than LEED (certification) silver if possible."
The green roof would be above the student living room on the second floor, Glaeser said. Glaeser explained the roof as a "vegetative" roof that protects and insulates the outer part of the roof. Also, it would reduce the risk of flooding in areas around the building, since rainwater would be trapped in the vegetation.
There is one concern Borofka-Webb has that hasn't been mentioned in any meetings.
"None of (the plans) have contained lockers and changing rooms for bicycle commuters and I think that's an important feature that the building should have … it gives you one point in LEED certification," he said.
If students are interested in the sustainability aspect and the prospect of LEED certification, Glaeser said they should attend more meetings to learn about the actual plan, as the designers and architects are still in the scoping process of the plan.
"I applaud the students that show interest because we're designing it for you," Glaeser said. "You're going to be using it and we want to hear what you have to say."
Dennis Johnson, the supervisor for environmental services at Ayres Associates, explained the timeline for the next few months in regards to sustainability. The team is taking comments until Friday, which is when they will devise an environmental impact draft. There will be another meeting in September to receive comments that will help finalize the environmental impact statement, which will be turned into the Wisconsin Environmental Policy Act.
"Sustainability is a big part of the project and an important consideration, and the building is currently planned to be designed at a LEED silver certification at a minimum," Johnson said.
Janine Glaeser, project architect and LEED AP Project Manager, said it's not a for-sure thing that the university will have LEED certification for the new Davies Center.
"I think it's very likely that you're going to have a very green building that meets your LEED silver certification," Glaeser said.
The one thing that would prevent the certification is the price tag, Glaeser said, because it's a pricey process.
"I think a lot of people would rather see that money put into the building rather than a certification process," she said. "We can still build a sustainable, healthy building that meets the criteria, but we might not spend that extra several thousand possibly to get the LEED certification."
Junior Isaac Borofka-Webb is excited about the prospect of having LEED certification.
"I'm glad that they're paying attention to taking care of the Little Niagara and the green roof is encouraging," Borofka-Webb said. "I would like to see higher than LEED (certification) silver if possible."
The green roof would be above the student living room on the second floor, Glaeser said. Glaeser explained the roof as a "vegetative" roof that protects and insulates the outer part of the roof. Also, it would reduce the risk of flooding in areas around the building, since rainwater would be trapped in the vegetation.
There is one concern Borofka-Webb has that hasn't been mentioned in any meetings.
"None of (the plans) have contained lockers and changing rooms for bicycle commuters and I think that's an important feature that the building should have … it gives you one point in LEED certification," he said.
If students are interested in the sustainability aspect and the prospect of LEED certification, Glaeser said they should attend more meetings to learn about the actual plan, as the designers and architects are still in the scoping process of the plan.
"I applaud the students that show interest because we're designing it for you," Glaeser said. "You're going to be using it and we want to hear what you have to say."
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Student
posted 4/23/09 @ 12:28 AM CST
While it is great that this topic is being covered by The Spectator, it is unfortunate that nothing is mentioned in the article about the cost of becoming LEED certified. (Continued…)
mc0317
Student
posted 4/23/09 @ 12:40 AM CST
While it is great that this topic is being covered by The Spectator, it is unfortunate that nothing is mentioned in the article about the cost of becoming LEED certified. (Continued…)
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