Campus Earns Continued Praise, Recognition for Sustainability
MERCED, Calif. — The University of California, Merced, recently earned what might be the most prestigious of a growing list of awards for its Long Range Development Plan. At the same time, UC Merced had its seventh building certified “Gold” by the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program.
UC Merced actively pursues LEED and sustainability. Their sustainability efforts impress. They have eight buildings that boast LEED certification at silver or better. Additionally, they also aim for zero net energy use. They seek to contribute zero waste to landfills. Furthermore, they definitely strive for zero net greenhouse gas emissions by 2020. This initiative is known as the Triple Zero Commitment.
“At UC Merced, we’re attempting to set new standards for energy efficiency and environmental stewardship in our building design and construction,” said Thomas Lollini, FAIA, campus architect and associate vice chancellor for Principal Planning, Design and Construction. “These latest achievements show that we are on our way toward not just meeting those standards, but exceeding them.”
UC Merced Development Plan Among ‘Top Ten Green Projects’
UC Merced has a grand vision for campus design and construction. This plan is the 2009 Long Range Development Plan (LRDP). Industry organizations continue to praise the LRDP. Recently, it made the Top Ten Green Projects list. This list comes from the American Institute of Architects’ Committee on the Environment. The award highlights leading examples of sustainable architecture. It emphasizes innovative green design solutions. A formal announcement will occur at a convention in May. This event takes place in Washington, D.C.
The plan, honored several times for its commitment to sustainability, earned high praise from the AIA judges. Its ambitious goals impress many. The achievements toward those goals are significant. Additionally, UC Merced staff diligently monitor the campus’s sustainability performance. They received recognition for their efforts.
According to principal planner Richard Cummings, UC Merced’s Physical Planning, Design and Construction team was assisted in developing the 2009 plan by a consultant team. This team included Bruce Race, FAIA, FAICP, RACESTUDIO; Cliff Lowe Associates; A. Plescia & Co.; Shabnam Barati, Impact Sciences; Paul Heath, Business Place Strategies; STANTEC; Fehr & Peers; and Douglas Jamieson.
Another Campus Building Strikes LEED Gold
The campus’ Logistical Support/Safety Facility (LSSF) is the latest UC Merced building to achieve LEED Gold certification. The facility, which encompasses two metal buildings joined by a loading dock, houses the departments of material management and mail services. In addition, it houses environmental health and safety; facility management; and transportation services.
The construction of the LSSF achieved many sustainability goals. About 77 percent of the construction waste went to recycling instead of landfills. Farmers and nurseries then reused this waste. Additionally, the facility reduced potable water use by 48 percent. This reduction came from installing waterless and low-flow urinals, lavatories, and sinks. Finally, 24 percent of the construction materials contained recycled content.
All of these factors contribute to the high LEED ranking. The facility is the first UC Merced construction project to achieve several new LEED credits. For example, it earned a renewable energy credit. That was due to the campus’ 1-megawatt solar array built in 2009. Additionally, it received an alternative fuels credit. This was for providing a 20 percent discount on parking permits for drivers of fuel-efficient vehicles. Finally, the LSSF earned an “Innovation and Design” credit for its Green Cleaning Plan.
“Achieving LEED Gold on a metal building here on campus goes to show our high commitment to sustainability,” said Mark Maxwell, UC Merced’s assistant director of construction and sustainability.
UC Merced Sustainability Standards
UC Merced’s sustainability standards improve, Maxwell stated. Four completed projects will earn LEED Gold certification or better. The Dining Expansion aims for platinum. The Early Childhood Education Center targets gold. Housing 3 also seeks platinum. The Social Science and Management Building plans for platinum. Additionally, the campus actively pursues LEED Platinum for its four newest construction projects. These include Housing 4, the Student Activity and Athletic Center, Science and Engineering Building 2, and the Student Services Building.
