Harm A. Weber Academic Center

The most innovative and unique feature of this building is the mixed-mode natural ventilation system. Operating fully natural, fully mechanical, or on one of the fifteen stages in between, the building utilizes the natural buoyancy of warm air to help circulate air from the lower level intakes to the upper level exhausts. The temperature and pressure of the air at the roof terminus is higher than the intakes, creating a natural draw, pulling the air through the building and natural ventilation stacks.

Indoor Environmental Quality, Increased Ventilation Effectiveness

A significant renewable energy strategy in contemporary architecture is the use of photovoltaics (PVs). The south facade of the building incorporates PVs (modern solar panels) that generate approximately 6kW of electricity. One problem with integrating PVs into the building envelop is they generate heat since they are dark colored. The PVs were strategically installed in the attic plenum space, thereby superheating the air behind them, and accelerating the buoyancy of that air as it exits through the roof termini. In this way, the building integrated PVs generate electricity and artificially warm the plenum air, aiding the stack effect process.

Energy & Atmosphere, Optimize Energy Performance, Innovation in Design

South facing deep-set windows allow winter sun to penetrate the facade and artificially warm the building, while blocking the summer sun from entering the facade and overheating the building. Many windows throughout the building are operable by users, and most rooms in the building have their own local thermostats. Both of these features give building users more control over their local environment and create a more productive and healthy workplace.

Energy & Atmosphere, Optimize Energy Performance, Innovation in Design

The extensive landscape architecture scheme provides for stormwater control, increases biodiversity and strengthens the quality of local habitat. The primary bioswale minimizes on-site water runoff, reduces demand on storm sewers, and keeps pollutants out of the local stream.

Sustainable Sites, Stormwater Management

Healthy student environments and workplaces must include natural daylight and views to the exterior, preferably to the sky. Studies have proven that these connections aid in the physical and psychological health of buildings’ users. This building has multiple opportunities to experience daylighting and views to the exterior.

Indoor Environmental Quality, Daylight & Views, Views for 90% of Spaces

Exterior full cut off downlighting prevents light pollution caused by over lighting at night.

Sustainable Sites, Light Pollution Reduction

The significant landscape architecture includes light-colored concrete walks and lanes. The color of the concrete reduces the heat generated by solar radiation, and thereby reduces artificial heating of the microclimate.

Sustainable Sites, Landscape and Exterior Design to Reduce Heat Island Effect

The new site includes native plant species to recall the prairie, contributes to and restores native habitat, reduces stormwater runoff, and eliminates use of water for irrigation. These contribute collaboratively to a sustainable landscape architecture.

Sustainable Sites, Stormwater Management and Water Efficiency, Water Efficient Landscaping

Building materials used included recycled and those locally produced.

Materials & Resources, Recycled Content and Local/Regional Materials and Certified Wood

To reduce the dependence on private automobiles, and the pollution associated with their use, the site includes ten carpool parking stalls to encourage users to share rides.

Sustainable Sites, Alternative Transportation, Parking Capacity

Bicycle storage and the associated showering and changing rooms allow alternative transportation to the site for students and employees. This reduces the demand for automobile use as well as contributes to the general physical health of the building’s users.

Sustainable Sites, Alternative Transportation, Bicycle Storage and Changing Rooms

Natural ventilation intake grill allows fresh air to enter the building, improving indoor air quality by producing more air changes per minute. This is accomplished because a greater volume of air is moving through the building more slowly, compared to conventional methods that push smaller volumes of air at higher speeds.

Indoor Environmental Quality, Increased Ventilation Effectiveness

Healthy student environments and workplaces must include natural daylight and views to the exterior, preferably to the sky. Studies have proven that these connections aid in the physical and psychological health of buildings’ users. This building has multiple opportunities to experience daylighting and views to the exterior.

Indoor Environmental Quality, Daylight & Views, Views for 90% of Spaces

During the process of construction, 92% of the construction waste generated was recycled. The building industry accounts for a significant amount of waste directed to landfills.

Materials & Resources, Construction Waste Management

A portion of the parking is dedicated to alternative fueling; in this case, the building has three electric power stalls for electric vehicle charging.

Sustainable Sites, Alternative Transportation, Alternative Fuel Refilling Stations

Immediate access to municipal bus service reduces individual automobile use and local vehicular infrastructure maintenance.

Sustainable Sites, Alternative Transportation, Public Transportation Access