Green Products: Trends & Innovations

This course is no longer active
[ Page 19 of 23 ]  previous page Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 next page
Advertorial course provided by Thyssenkrupp Elevator, US Green Building Council, Tarkett, Lutron, VistaWall, Umicore, PPG FlatGlass, C/S Group, AltusGroup, MechoShade, HunterDouglas, AISC, Sloan Valve

The U of O's Colors? One of Them Is Green

The $40 million Lillis Business Complex, which opened in 2003 on the University of Oregon campus, even in predevelopment sessions, was envisioned as a building that would slash power bills, set new standards for environmentally friendly design and serve as a case study in sustainability.

Its classrooms, carefully positioned to maximize their exposure to natural light, can be used almost year-round without electric lighting; external shades and light shelves regulate room temperature; "smart" lighting adjusts to daylight levels; and sensors turn off lights and other non-essential items in unoccupied rooms.


Sun control curtain wall.
Courtesy VistaWall.

An extensive ventilation system and extra thermal mass in the building's concrete structure enable it to retain more heat on cold days and stay cool naturally through most of the summer. Photovoltaic panels generate about 35 kilowatts of clean solar energy.

The building also saves water through low-flow fixtures and an "eco-roof," which uses rain to grow beneficial vegetation instead of draining to the ground.The university's Sustainable Development Plan, implemented in 2000, requires that the design principles expressed by Portland-based architect SRG Partnership, PC, in Lillis' plans be applied to all new campus building projects.

In its Lillis design, the university was shooting for LEED Silver. It has not yet been certified.

To maximize natural light, the university sought a translucent curtain wall system into which photovoltaic panels could be glazed.

"The project was designed and built to LEED Silver requirements, and the university employed curtain walls, glass entrance systems and skylights that provided diffused lighting," says Fred Grunewald, Vistawall research and development manager.

 

[ Page 19 of 23 ]  previous page Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 next page
Originally published in Architectural Record.
Originally published in February 2005

Notice

Academies