The research and education facility is the first on Union’s campus to attain the certification. The project has been designed by Albany’s Einhorn, Yaffee, Prescott with the construction overseen by Winchester, Massachusetts’ A.J. Martini, Incorporation. The building spans 35,000 square feet covering three levels. It comprises advanced labs, electronic classrooms, an advanced computing lab, study spaces, faculty offices, and a rooftop Energy Research Lab.
The property imbibes several eco-friendly elements including a 3-kW photovoltaic array which utilises monocrystalline silicon modules to meet its electrical needs partially. It features a renewable energy contract and has installed solar photovoltaic system which generates a minimum of 35% of its energy. It incorporates a solar thermal collection and storage system. The system makes use of evacuated tube heat pipe technology to supply part of the domestic hot water load.
The building also features a ground source heat pump which is fed by 10 vertical wells adjacent to the building for supply of thermal energy for summer reheat. The highly-efficient building envelope offers a high thermal resistance-to-cost ratio.
Several segments of the buildings have been equipped with LED lighting systems. The facility has also installed an occupancy/use-based control system for temperature, lighting and ventilation. It has been fitted with real-time metering equipment for electricity, steam, chilled water, gas and building service water. The building’s ground level consists of an interactive kiosk which facilitates views of real-time data and historical data from the building’s energy systems.
The roof and over 50% of the non-roof impervious surfaces of the facility don a high-albedo covering to reduce heat gain during summer. Use of low-VOC materials such as adhesives, sealants, paints, carpet and composite wood add to the sustainability. In addition, the building materials possess a high amount of post-consumer and post-industrial reclaimed content.
