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Albion College Science Complex

Justin Maconochie

611 E Porter St., Albion, MI 49224
In 2006, Albion completed a $41.6 million renovation and expansion of its science complex. The lead architect for this project was Alan Hohlfelder, of MacLachlan, Cornelius & Filoni, Inc., and the general contractor was Christman Company of Lansing. This four-building complex earned silver LEED certification from the USGBC (LEED NC, v. 2.0/2.1).
Green Features:
Sustainable Site: The roof has a reflective coating which reduces the “heat island effect” around the building. The parking lot is equipped with recharging stations for electric cars and parking preference is given to those who carpool to campus.
Water and Energy Efficiency: The building is expected to use 30% less energy than a comparable building, decreasing annual energy costs about $150,000 annually. This complex is also able to retain 25% more storm water through the use of biofiltration swales and an underground storage water system. This helps to ease the burden on Albion’s storm sewer system.
Indoor Environmental Quality: Low Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) sealants, paint and carpeting were used in the new building. VOC sensors monitor air quality and increase outside airflow when acceptable levels are not met.
Materials and Resources: Sixty-seven percent of construction debris was recycled and diverted from landfills, and 27% of the materials used for construction were recycled products. To reduce environmental impacts from transportation, 88% of materials used were harvested, extracted, recovered or manufactured from facilities within 500 miles. The trees removed from the site during construction were milled and used in the atrium staircase.

Aquinas College's Academic Building

Brian Kelly Photography

1607 Robinson Rd. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506
In 2006, the decision was made to renovate the 2nd level of the Academic Building (AB). This renovation was done through Rockford Construction and it has earned silver LEED certification from the USGBC (LEED CI, v. 2.0).
Green Features:
Waste Not: Over 75% of all construction waste was diverted from local landfills through recycling and reuse.
Enlightened Lighting: Large windows allow daylight to be maintained in 75% of spaces and views in 90% of the seated spaces. This reduces the need for artificial lighting. In addition, daylight sensors were installed to turn off the lights when enough natural light is adequate to perform tasks in a given space.
Saving Water: Water use was reduced 30% by equipping the women’s and men’s restrooms with dual flush water closets, censored faucets and ultra-low flow urinals. Also, the kitchen sinks and janitor sinks were fitted with faucets that included aerators.
Local vendors, local materials: Some of the building materials (20%) were harvested, extracted, recovered or manufactured from facilities within 500 miles of Aquinas. By purchasing materials from local manufacturers, we stimulate the regional economy and reduce the environmental impact of transporting materials to the job site.

Aquinas College's Grace Hauenstein Library

Andris Visockis

1607 Robinson Rd. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506
The Grace Hauenstein Library was designed by Progressive AE and built by Erhardt Construction. The 40,000 square foot facility earned Silver LEED Certification from the USGBC (LEED NC, v2.0/2.1).
Green Features:
Saving from the Start: During construction of the Grace Hauenstein Library, 90% of the Jarecki/Lacks building’s outer structure and 85% of the interior elements were retained when the addition was built. Reducing waste and the impacts of manufacturing and material transportation minimized the environmental impact of construction.
Green by Design: The Grace Hauenstein Library addition maximizes space while minimizing its footprint. The resulting building complements the surrounding natural landscape, while making a strong visual impact on campus.
Waste Not: Over 82% of all construction waste was diverted from local landfills through recycling and reuse.
Enlightened Lighting: Exterior views are provided for 93% of the building’s regularly occupied spaces. Daylight improves the atmosphere of the library for patrons and staff, while reducing the need for artificial lighting and resulting operating expenses. Motion sensors in many rooms turn lights off automatically when not in use.
Reduce, Reuse, Renew: Kalamazoo College donated the stack shelving and end panels in the Grace Hauenstein Library, decreasing furnishing costs by over 30%. Not only does the reuse of materials provide an economic benefit, but the practice also reduces harm to the environmental by reclaiming materials that would have been sent to disposal facilities.
Saving Water: Through the use of low-flow faucets and toilets, water use is 32% less than a standard facility of similar size. Aquinas is doing its part to conserve the beautiful and vital Great Lakes Water Basin. Storm water runoff from the building and surrounding area diverts from the sewer system to an adjacent pond. Rather than using drinking water to irrigate the grounds, pond water irrigates the building’s landscaping.
Clearing the Air: Standard paints, varnishes, and cleaners contain Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), or compounds that contribute to ground-level ozone formation. According to the EPA, some VOCs are also suspected to cause cancer in animals and humans, while others are known human carcinogens. All adhesives, sealants, paints, carpet, padding, and particleboard used in the Grace Hauenstein Library are low VOC. Aquinas is doing its part to “clear the air” and assure healthy indoor air quality for all staff, students, and visitors.
Local vendors, local materials: A majority (58%) of the building materials was shipped from facilities within 500 miles. By purchasing materials from local manufacturers, we help support our local economy and reduce the environmental impact of transporting materials to the job site.
Transportation Considerations: Aquinas is working to provide all Aquinas community members with an incentive to ride bikes, walk, carpool, or use the public bus system whenever possible. Changing the way we get from here to there can result in healthier air, healthier bodies, and a greater sense of community at the college. It will, after all, be the sum of individual choices that ultimately bring us closer to a sustainable world. To encourage the use of public and alternative transportation, parking capacity around the Grace Hauenstein Library is minimal. Carpooling commuters have a choice of parking spaces set aside for them. Bicycle racks offer safe and convenient storage for two-wheeled commuters.

Aquinas College's Ravine Apartment D

Andris Visockis

1607 Robinson Rd. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506
In 2008, Rockford Construction completed constructing the newest apartment complex for Aquinas College. The architect for this 24,000 sq. ft. structure that houses 64 beds was Design Plus, Inc. This three story building earned LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (LEED NC, v. 2.2).
Green Features:
Most construction waste can be recovered, reused, or recycled. Tight controls were established during the building process which reduced the construction waste and allowed the project team to recycle 95% of the construction and land clearing debris.
Water use was reduced 23.2% by carefully selecting water efficient fixtures and equipment. Storm water runoff is routed through infiltration basins, allowing storm water to permeate into the ground. This helps to recharge local aquifers and it is believed to have high pollutant removal efficiency.
An indoor air quality plan was put into place during construction. To reduce the amount of contaminants that were introduced into the building and its systems, tight constraints were established.
To reduce environmental impact, 47% of construction materials were harvested, reclaimed or extracted and manufactured within a 500 mile radius of Aquinas College. Furthermore, 21% of materials used have either post-consumer or post-industrial recycled content.
The goals for establishing energy efficiency and system performance were accomplished by not using CFC (Chlorofluorocarbon) in the building's mechanical systems. Also, state-of-the-art HVAC and electrical systems were installed to reduce the overall campus energy consumption.

Calvin College Bunker Interpretive Center

Photo courtesy of Calvin College

1750 East Beltline Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546-5949
A part of the Calvin College campus, the Bunker Interpretive Center is approximately 5,000 square feet of green building. The structure is used as home base for select formal programs, a study center, and an educational resource for visitors. Dedicated in September of 2004, the Center earned gold rating from the U.S. Green Building Council in May 2005 (LEED NC, v2.1). The building is built on a 90-acre ecosystem preserve and boasts a photovoltaic power system that supply 60% of the building's annual electricity needs. Other green features include a radiant heating system in the floor, a gray water treatment system, passive lighting, automated passive cooling, native landscaping, and composting toilets.

Davenport University Lettinga House

6191 Kraft Avenue SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49512
Completed in August 2006, the Lettinga House at Davenport University is now home to 100 students. This 5-story building earned LEED certification from the United States Green Building Council (LEED NC, v. 2.0/2.1).
Green Features:
Indoor Environmental Quality: The Lettinga House features natural ventilation and extensive daylight. All paints, sealants, and carpeting were chosen for their low emissions of volatile organic compounds.
Water Efficiency: The use of potable water is reduced by using low-flow toilets, showerheads, and faucets.
Sustainable Site: The plan for the site allowed Davenport to retain natural wetlands, flowering grasses, and other native plants. The site also minimizes storm water runoff and erosion.
Energy Efficiency: The building uses 39% less energy than a comparable building.
Materials and Resources: Over 70% of materials used were manufactured within a 500 mile radius of the building site. The project team also eliminated unnecessary finishes to reduce the use of extra materials.

GVSU- John C. Kennedy Hall of Engineering

Bernadine Carey-Tucker, News & Information Systems, GVSU

301 W. Fulton St., Grand Rapids, MI 49504
The 52,000 square foot John C. Kennedy Hall of Engineering is located on Grand Valley State University's Pew Campus in Grand Rapids. Designed by Progressive AE and built by Pioneer Construction, the structure was completed in 2007 to house the Padnos College of Engineering. The Hall contains numerous classrooms, laboratories and faculty offices. Significant green features include: a 15,000 sq ft green roof, rain garden, Carbon Monoxide sensors in every room, and an ice bank air conditioning system (for peak energy times). Furthermore, 97% of the waste generated during construction was recycled. The John C. Kennedy Hall of Engineering received basic LEED certification from the USGBC (LEED NC).

GVSU- Lake Ontario Hall

Photo Courtesy of Grand Valley State University

Grand Valley State University, Lake Ontario Hall, 1 Campus Drive Allendale, MI 49401-9403
The newest building on GVSU's Allendale Campus is Lake Ontario Hall, an academic building which houses faculty offices, several student organizations, study areas and specialized classrooms. The building is 55,000 sq. ft. and cost $12 million. A few of the green features include controlled storm water runoff, maximized day lighting, motion and heat sensors, waterless urinals and an energy star compliant roofing system. The building is also near a bus service, interior and exterior lighting were selected to minimize light pollution and outside views are numerous. Many of the materials used in the building were recycled and more than 80 percent of the construction waste generated was recycled. The building achieved Silver LEED Certification (LEED NC, v2.1).

GVSU- Laker Turf Building

Amanda Pitts, News & Information Systems, GVSU

1 Campus Dr., Allendale, MI 49401-9403
The 138,000 square foot Laker Turf Building on GVSU's Allendale campus opened its doors in 2008. The facility supports sport, fitness and educational activities, and features a 100-yard field and 300-meter indoor track. Designed by Integrated Architecture and built by Erhardt Construction, the Laker Turf building is LEED gold certified (LEED NC). Noteworthy green features include:
- Elongated building design to maximize daylighting and solar heating
- 20 KW rooftop photovoltaic system
- Solar Wall on the building's south side for passive cooling in the summer and warming in the winter months.
- 9,000 square foot rain garden

Kalamazoo College Hicks Center

Paul Manstrom

1200 Academy St., Kalamazoo, MI 49006
In 2008, the Hicks Center at Kalamazoo College was renovated with the help of Miller Davis contractors, Tower Pinkster architects, and JDH engineers. This 80,000 square foot building earned silver LEED certification from the USGBC (LEED NC, v. 2.2).
Green Features:
89% of the original building structure was preserved.
About 90% of construction waste was diverted from landfills and 36% of the building materials used were recycled or rapidly-renewable products.
Through the installation and use of low flow fixtures and waterless urinals, 40% water savings was achieved.
When selecting the materials to be used during construction, 41% of the materials were manufactured within a 500 mile radius of the building site.

Montcalm Community College Stanley P Ash Building

Jody Hedrick

2800 College Drive, Sidney, MI 48885
The Stanley P Ash Building at Montcalm Community College is a state of the art learning center dedicated not only to inform the community about environmental sustainability but also to reflect the real world environments that students will enter. The structure received basic LEED certification from the USGBC.
Some of the green features include extensive use of daylight, lighting controls, water-wise landscaping, and reduced water and electrical usage.

Northern Michigan University- Gunther C. Meyland Hall

1401 Presque Isle Ave, Marquette, MI 49855
The renovation of Northern Michigan University's Meyland Hall was completed in the summer of 2006 by Integrated Designs Inc and Gundlach-Champion Inc. The 49,778 square foot residence hall received LEED certification (LEED NC, v2.1) at the basic level because of the following significant green features:
- 96% re-use of the existing building structure
- Recycled 100% of construction waste
- 35% of the materials were obtained locally and 15% contained recycled content
- Select doors and furnishings made from rapidly renewable materials (Malaysian hardwood)
- 98% of occupied spaces have views of the outdoors
- Building uses 60% less water than a traditional building because of front loading washing machines, dual-flush valve toilets (Sloan), and low flow fixtures
- Green Cleaning Program (Spartan Green Solutions products)

Northern Michigan University- Maude L. Van Antwerp Hall

1401 Presque Isle Ave, Marquette, MI 49855
Northern Michigan University's Van Antwerp Hall was designed by Integrated Designs Inc and built by Gundlach-Champion Inc. The residence hall received LEED certification (LEED NC, v2.2) at the silver level because of the following significant green features:
- Recycled 23% of construction waste
- 22% of the materials were obtained locally (within 500 miles)
- Select doors and furniture made from rapidly renewable materials (Malaysian hardwood)
- 97% of occupied spaces have views of the outdoors
- Building uses 36% less water than a traditional building because of front loading washing machines, dual-flush valve toilets (Sloan), and low flow fixtures
- Green Cleaning Program (Spartan Green Solutions products)

Saginaw Valley State University- Pioneer Hall

Matt Shaw

7400 Bay Road, University Center, MI 48710
Pioneer Hall, on Saginaw Valley State's campus, was renovated in 2007 by Wigen Tincknell Meyer & Associates and Spence Brothers of Saginaw. The project consisted of renovating the 45,000 square feet of existing space and adding 30,000 square feet of new space to house the Science, Engineering, and Technology College. The structure obtained silver LEED certification from the USGBC (LEED NC, v2.2), because of the following green features:
- On-site water retention
- High performance glass
- 50% of wood products sourced from managed forests
- 30% decrease in water use, compared to a traditional building
- Diversion of half of all construction waste from the landfill
- Utilization of a SmartBeam product (cellular steel design) made by CMC Steel Group/SMI Steel Products
- Dual-flush toilets and waterless urinals

University of Michigan- S.T. Dana Building Renovations

Courtesy of the University of Michigan

440 Church Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1041
S.T. Dana houses the School of Natural Resources and Environment (SNRE) of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. The $25 million project was a "green" renovation of a 100-year old building on the University’s campus, creating 20% more usable space internally without changing the external footprint of the structure. Green components of the project include 58% recycled glass tile, 100% recycled HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) partitions and counter tops, and three composting toilets. An atrium skylight provides daylight and a 30kWh photovoltaic array (consisting of Uni-Solar thin-film panels and Kyocera crystalline solar cells) provides supplemental energy for the structure. Other noteworthy features include a radiant air conditioning system, thermostats in every room, and motion sensors on (fluorescent) lights. Completed in October 2003, the Dana Building received a Gold Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (LEED NC, v2.0).

Western Michigan University- College of Health and Human Services Building

Smithgroup

1903 W Michigan Ave., Kalamazoo, MI 49008
The 200,000 square foot College of Health and Human Services Building was completed in the summer of 2005. Designed by SmithGroup (Detroit), the structure received a gold LEED certification from the USGBC (LEED EB, v2.0). Significant green building features include:
- Cork flooring
- Motion-activated lights, heating, and cooling systems
- Thermal comfort monitoring
- Daylighting

Funded by the Steelcase Foundation of Grand Rapids, Michigan
Header photo courtesy of Bigfoto
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