The Student Dining and Residential Programs Building (SDRP) and Nugent Hall have achieved LEED Silver Certification. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) organization provides a rating system to certify buildings for their commitment to environmental sustainability.
Everything from the design of the buildings to the materials used to make it, from landscape planning to indoor air quality, contribute to the goal of earning LEED certification.
What Makes the Buildings Green?
Responsible Materials
- More than 20 percent of the materials used for the project were manufactured and harvested within a 500-mile radius from the site, including the concrete and brick. Using regional materials helps support the local economy and reduces transportation costs and environmental impacts.
- More than 10 percent of the products used in the construction of Nugent Hall contain recycled content. More than 20 percent of the products used in the construction of the SDRP contain recycled content.
- Over 50 percent of the wood-based materials used in the SDRP were FSC-certified, which means the wood comes from responsibly managed, sustainable sources.
Increased Efficiency
- The white reflective roof on Nugent Hall and the SDRP was designed to reduce solar heat absorption, keeping the environment cooler and using less energy for air conditioning.
- The wall and roof insulation was selected for its ability to keep cold or hot temperatures out, promoting a comfortable temperature inside, saving energy, and lowering the heating/cooling costs.
- Walkways around the buildings were made with white color concrete, which reflects the sun’s heat and keeps the surrounding area cooler.
- The landscape is designed with native and drought-tolerant plants to reduce dependency on potable water. Low-flow plumbing fixtures were also utilized to reduce water consumption by over 20 percent in Nugent Hall and over 30 percent in the SDRP.
- Both the SDRP and Nugent Hall were designed to meet ASHRAE requirements. ASHRAE is the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers, which promotes sustainability and green building practices. The SDRP will exceed ASHRAE requirements by over 10 percent.
- Light fixtures throughout the SDRP and Nugent Hall use low-energy wattage lamps to conserve energy, and many of the rooms have motion sensor light fixture control. In the SDRP, the large 500-seat multi-purpose room has individualized control and dimmer switches, which reduces energy usage.
Recycling Waste
- More than 75 percent of the waste from the Illini Orange, which used to stand on the construction site, was recycled.
- Over 80 percent of the construction waste was recycled, reducing landfill waste.
Improved Air Quality
- Indoor Air Quality measures were implemented during the construction process to achieve a high level of cleanliness and air quality. Keeping the construction site clean also protects the HVAC systems and improves efficiency.
- Low-VOC (volatile organic compound) products, including paints, coatings, adhesives, and sealants, were chosen to increase indoor air quality.
Green Living
- The SDRP was built with eight staff showers so that Housing staff members can take advantage of alternative forms of transportation, such as biking or walking to work.
- The facility’s cleaning and maintenance policy will limit the environmental impacts of hazardous and unfriendly cleaning products and solvents, while also providing a healthier working environment for the building’s workers and residents. University Housing recently received recognition for its current green cleaning efforts.
- A built-in oil-reclaiming system in the SDRP will send used fryer oil to a holding tank on the loading dock to be processed into biodiesel for the campus motor pool. The non-toxic, biodegradable fuel generates fewer emissions and saves the campus money on fuel costs. Read more about this campus biodiesel initiative.