New Stafford Campus Building Goes Green

Twelve parking spaces are reserved for alternative-fuel vehicles near the new building at the University of Mary Washington’s Stafford campus.

A reflective roof reduces heat and adds to the structure’s ability to conserve energy.

A monitoring system tracks the operation of mechanical equipment to ensure high performance and maximum efficiency throughout the building’s lifetime.

These are just a few of the features contributing to the recent recognition of the structure known as the North Building at UMW’s College of Graduate and Professional Studies. The U.S. Green Building Council awarded Mary Washington its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification.

“Obtaining the LEED certification is important because it sends a signal that we as a University are concerned about the environment and care about the actions we take that might impact it,” said Acting President Richard V. Hurley. “Even though obtaining LEED certifications for new construction increases the cost of the project, we believe it is the right thing to do.”

The accomplishment places UMW among a small number of Virginia colleges with buildings that are LEED-certified. The certification indicates that design and construction meet the highest standards by conserving resources, being environmentally responsible, and providing a healthy environment for occupants.

Energy-saving and recycling techniques were present even during the construction phase of the North Building. The amount of waste that normally would have been sent to a landfill was reduced by nearly 92 percent as a result of recycling 1,720 tons of materials. The contractor also used low-emission paints, sealants, carpets, adhesives, and composite wood products.

Additionally, the building features energy-efficient glazing, lighting, and chillers and boilers; added wall and roof insulation; energy-recovery ventilators; and a mechanical system that doesn’t use ozone-depleting gases.

Construction of the North Building concluded in fall 2006, and students began attending classes there in January 2007. 

For more information on the structure’s LEED certification, visit www.umw.edu/news/?a=728.

– Melina Downs