Two of Three 7group Projects Achieve LEED Platinum Certification

The Syracuse Center of Excellence Headquarters, the Neptune Township Midtown Community Elementary School and the Lehigh University Science, Technology, Environment, Policy and Society building were awarded LEED certification during the third quarter of 2011.

Syracuse University’s new Syracuse Center of Excellence (CoE) engages collaborators from over 200 companies and institutions to address worldwide challenges in clean and renewable energy, indoor environmental quality and water resources. Designed to serve as a demonstration of global environmental solutions, this new 71,000 sf research facility earned LEED Platinum (NCv2.2) certification through collaboration with 7group, Toshiko Mori Architect and Ashley McGraw Architects. It serves to seed a major urban revitalization effort taking place in a severely contaminated brownfield quarter of Syracuse, NY, on a site that was previously uninhabitable, and it showcases new technologies developed by CoE partners. Major research covers such topical issues as promoting bio fuels, assessing long-term urban air quality and air flow in Syracuse via a new 150-foot Urban Ecosystem Observatory tower, and analyzing how outside air conditions affect indoor air quality and human performance. Other building features include extensive vegetated roof areas designed for future installation of photovoltaic (PV) panels, building-scale wind turbines, and a 20 kW PV array; copious daylighting for laboratories and offices; underfloor air distribution; waterless urinals and dual-flush toilets to reduce water consumption; ceiling-mounted radiant panels embedded with copper piping that efficiently heat the building; and other energy saving measures that reduce annual energy consumption by over 40%. Additional details are available at http://www.syracusecoe.org/coe/sub1.html?skuvar=16.

Housing 550 students, the Neptune Township Midtown Community Elementary School was designed as a community-based, high performance learning facility that embodies the curriculum as a “living textbook”. The building itself serves as a learning tool, especially incorporating the environmental curriculum in its science program which focuses on the five aspects of LEED design. Students can observe the building’s high efficiency mechanical systems in action through Plexiglas doors and transparent raised flooring that reveals the school’s cabling systems. A variety of outdoor experiments and lessons are accessible through the facility’s rooftop garden and solar photovoltaic array. This Neptune, NJ school achieved LEED Platinum (NCv2.1) certification in August through collaborative efforts between 7group and SSP Architectural Group. Efficiency and reduced energy consumption were key during the design process, incorporating triple-pane windows, underfloor air distribution, ground source heat pumps, exterior shading and light shelves, all contributing to a 45% reduction in energy consumption without increasing the project’s first cost. For more information, please visit http://www.ssparchitects.com/portfolio.asp?group=2&SelCategory=7:#thumb.

Lehigh University opened the doors to its new undergraduate facility, the STEPS (Science, Technology, Environment, Policy and Society) building for classes and research this fall semester. The 135,000 sf facility was designed by Bohlin Cywinksi Jackson to eliminate the boundaries between laboratories and classrooms fostering Lehigh University’s interdisciplinary approach to research and teaching. Classrooms, study lounges, faculty offices and 50 state of the art laboratories have been configured to promote interaction between students and faculty working in the areas of engineering, environmental sciences and social sciences. The project team worked closely together to create a building reflecting the University’s commitment to sustainable research, ultimately realizing LEED Gold (NCv2.2) certification. Each facade of the STEPS building is fitted for its solar orientation, with sunshades and low E, fritted and tinted glass to reduce heat impacts while still providing daylighting for much of the building. Heat reduction and storm water retention strategies preserved as much of the green landscape as possible, and incorporated indigenous, drought-resistant vegetation and a green roof. The building also features a highly insulated building envelope, appropriately sized air-handling units, radiant heat, industrial low-speed fans, and a building management system to track energy usage. Fundamental and enhanced commissioning services as well as LEED documentation review services provided by 7group ensured the high performance of this educational building. Please visit http://www.bcj.com/public/projects/project/112.html for additional information.

7group is keen to continue collaborating with such forward-thinking teams developing cutting-edge sustainable designs and is honored to include these projects in our ever growing repertoire, which currently includes 77 LEED certified projects.