Harris Hall
Green Building Profile
Harris Hall constructed in 1915 was home to baby直播app’s social sciences education programs, such as the history department. The 2011 renovations addressed accessibility issues to this building. The project included a reconfigured accessible ramp at a highly trafficked entry of the building and installed a new elevator to access all floors. The renovation-updated classrooms provided more faculty offices, a faculty lounge, staff offices, and lounge and baby直播app spaces for graduate students, space for emeritus faculty, and houses the new Center for Historical Studies.
The renovated Harris Hall earned Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification thanks to modern features and improvements that make the 96-year-old building more environmentally friendly and pleasant for its occupants. Upgrades also included a new efficient heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system, new plumbing fixtures, and the sprinkler and fire alarm systems were updated to meet code.
Green Building Highlights
The LEED certification system used for this building was based on a 69-point scale. For Gold certification, a minimum of 39 points is required. Harris Hall was awarded 44 points. Notable features include the following:
- Sustainable sites: Harris Hall has bike racks, showers, and changing facilities for building occupants who choose to travel in a sustainable manner.
- Water efficiency: Updated landscaping and irrigation systems have reduced potable water consumption by 71 percent.
- Energy and atmosphere: Increased roof and wall insulation, as well as the installation of high-efficiency windows, have rendered energy cost savings of over 23 percent.
- Material and resources: Approximately 93 percent of waste generated on-site during construction was diverted from landfills.
- Indoor environmental quality: Ventilation system monitoring helps sustain occupant comfort and well-being.
Green Building Features
Sustainable sites – 11 out of 14 possible points
The Harris Hall renovation improved the building’s existing features to promote a sustainable environment. Two bus lines serve the site within one-quarter of a mile. Bike racks, showers, and changing facilities are available to building occupants who choose to travel in a more emissions-conscious manner than driving. The renovation also received credit for being added onto a previously developed site, so no extra landscaping work was necessary.
The exterior of Harris Hall was renovated to reduce the building’s environmental impact. More than 77 percent of the roof is covered in materials that reflect heat instead of absorbing it, and over 83 percent of the building’s non-roof surfaces feature highly reflective materials. This helps to reduce the urban heat island effect.
Water efficiency – 3 out of 5 possible points
The landscaping and irrigation systems for Harris Hall were designed to reduce water consumption. All shrubs and trees on site are adapted to the local climate and require minimal irrigation. A soil moisture sensor and rain sensor are used with the irrigation system to reduce water consumption further. These systems have reduced potable water consumption by 71 percent. Along with this, low-flow and low-flush plumbing fixtures are used extensively within the building, leading to almost 43 percent in total water savings.
Energy and atmosphere – 8 out of 17 possible points
The renovation has increased the building’s energy efficiency and significantly reduced energy costs. Energy efficiency measures include increased roof and wall insulation as well as high-efficiency windows. Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) measures include the use of chilled beams, carbon dioxide monitoring in densely occupied spaces, and equipment that minimizes or eliminates the emission of compounds that contribute to ozone depletion and climate change. Lighting measures include occupancy sensors, energy efficient fluorescent lamps, and dimmable lights.
The renovation on Harris Hall has reduced energy costs by more than 23 percent. Additionally, the university purchased Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) to cover 70 percent of the annual electricity consumption of Harris Hall over two years.
Material and resources – 8 out of 13 possible points
Adding onto an existing building structure instead of building from the ground up on a new site earned Harris Hall credits in this category. Almost 83 percent of the existing wall, floor, and roof elements were maintained. Additionally, nearly 28 percent of building materials were manufactured locally (within 500 miles of the project site), which decreases the emissions produced by longer-distance transportation of materials.
The Harris Hall renovation project also earned LEED points for promoting recycling both during and after construction. Over 27 percent of total building materials (by cost) contain recycled content, and approximately 93 percent of waste generated on-site during construction was diverted from landfills. The completed building also has appropriately-sized areas dedicated to the collection and storage of recyclable materials, including cardboard, paper, plastic, glass, and metal.
Indoor environmental quality – 10 out of 15 possible points
Harris Hall’s updated ventilation system helps maintain occupant comfort and well-being. Monitoring systems provide feedback on ventilation system performance to ensure that the system meets ventilation requirements. The entire building is mechanically ventilated, and carbon dioxide concentrations within all densely occupied spaces (those designed to be occupied by 25 people or more per 1,000 square feet) are monitored, ensuring a safe indoor environment for building occupants.
Additionally, a construction indoor air quality representative checked the building weekly to ensure that construction debris and dust were minimized, stored and installed materials were protected from water damage, and occupants were safeguarded from engine emissions and welding fumes.
Other credits – 4 points
The renovation of Harris Hall also received recognition for innovation in design. The building was awarded extra credits for exemplary performance for decreasing potable water use and for providing open space that is more than twice the building footprint. A LEED Accredited Professional also oversaw the development and construction of the project, earning Harris Hall an additional credit.