Environmental Priorities for Future Residential Colleges:
Recommendations
Connections with the environment
We think it is most important that the residents of the college are not
isolated from their natural environment by the building. To this
end we recommend ample natural light throughout the building, provisions
for natural ventilation with screens, landscaping inside and outside the
structure using native plants where applicable and outdoor plants that
attract birds, a dinning commons in a greenhouse atmosphere, and an outdoor
commons (quad) that encourages maximum utilization.
Minimum energy use
We encourage
the use of passive solar design (which for our climate means primarily
reduction of the solar heating load), specialty glazing for insulation
and radiation control, efficient lighting, and local but bounded temperature
controls.
Minimum Water Utilization
We
ask the University explore the storage and utilization of rain and gray
water, and provide dependable low-flow shower heads, low-flush toilets,
and aerated faucets.
Solar energy utilization
We
recommend that the use of winter sun for direct heating be incorporated
the passive solar design; although photovoltaics for general electrical
applications is impractical it can be used to supply special purpose functions
such as a DC lighting system for parking garages, stairs, and walkways.
Acoustic treatment
We ask that
noise reduction be given priority in the design and construction of the
new colleges. Carpet and ceiling tiles in the rooms, carpet on hall
floors and walls, and acoustically isolated areas for students to meet
and visit without disturbing students in their rooms should be included
in the plans.
Underground parking
Surface
parking associated with new college construction would increase impermeable
surface area in addition to being unattractive. We recommend moving
any local parking underground along with other college infrastructure facilities
such as the loading dock, composting device, utilities, boiler, air
handlers, storage, laundry, etc. With controlled access by ID cards
the underground parking should provide greater security for the users.
Minimum waste generation
We
recommend the installation of hand air dryers in place of paper towels
in all applications requiring their use. We recommend the installation
of active composting devices for all compostable garbage. We recommend
paper recycling in all rooms. We recommend recycling bins for glass,
metal, and plastic on all floors.
Environmental design, construction,
and furnishing
Some specific recommendations follow, but in general we
want the University through its planners, architects, and contractors to
be diligent in the design and selection of materials to avoid toxic
substances and to promote the use of recycled and recyclable materials
or materials with long useful lifetimes.
Leased carpet
The fibers in carpet have an expected lifetime of 30,000
years but a useful lifetime in a college of 7 to 10 years; if the carpet
is not recycled we send a college-worth of carpet to landfills annually. There are companies that lease carpet and recycle the old when replacing
with the new.
Elevators and stairs
Elevators are needed for handicap access and
when students are moving into and out of the college; however, elevators
are not energy efficient for everyday use. Stairs should be designed
to encourage their use (wide and easily accessible), and the elevators
designed to discourage their use (require ID cards and somewhat hidden
as a service elevator).