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Photo credit: John Petersen, Oberlin College
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Overview
- Location: Oberlin, OH
- Building type(s): Campus, Higher education, Library, Assembly
- New construction
- 13,600 ft2 (1,260 m2)
- Project scope: 2-story building
- Other setting
- Completed January 2000
Although the building opened for classes in 2000, modifications continue as the energy performance of the building is studied and is better understood. The building is part of an academic program and consequently has experimental aspects to it that are being evaluated. In addition, improvements will be made as new technologies become available.
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Rating: Green Building Challenge
Rating: Zero Energy Building
The Adam Joseph Lewis Center for Environmental Studies is located on the Oberlin College campus in Oberlin, Ohio. It houses classroom and office space, an auditorium, a small environmental studies library and resource center, a wastewater-purification system in a greenhouse, and an open atrium.
Environmental Aspects
Upon initiation of the project, Professor David Orr asked three questions that continue to serve as a guiding philosophy for the Lewis Center:
- Is it possible—even in Ohio—to power buildings by current sunlight?
- Is it possible to create buildings that purify their own wastewater?
- Is it possible to build without compromising human or environmental health somewhere else or at some later time?
The hope remains that the building not only serve as a space in which to hold classes, but also, according to Orr, "help to redefine the relationship between humankind and the environment."
Owner & Occupancy
- Owned and occupied by Oberlin College, Corporation, nonprofit
- Typically occupied by 80 people, 60 hours per person per week
A variety of courses both within and outside the Environmental Studies program are taught in the Center's classrooms and auditorium. The building is also used regularly for guest lectures, presentations, banquets, student organization meetings, Quaker meetings, informal gatherings, and study space. Occupancy estimate assumes three classrooms at 25 students for 5 hours per weekday plus use of offices, resource center, auditorium and atrium. Summer use is usually restricted to 10 people for 40 hours per week.
Building Programs
Indoor Spaces: |
Public assembly (65%), Lobby/reception (30%), Classroom (30%), Other (10%), Office (10%), Restrooms (5%), Mechanical systems (5%), Electrical systems
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Outdoor Spaces: |
Interpretive landscape (80%), Restored landscape (50%), Garden—productive (35%), Wildlife habitat (30%), Patio/hardscape (20%), Garden—decorative (15%), Parking (10%), Drives/roadway (5%), Pedestrian/non-motorized vehicle path (5%) |
Keywords
Integrated team, Design charrette, Training, Green framework, Simulation, Green specifications, Contracting, Commissioning, Performance measurement and verification, Operations and maintenance, Wildlife habitat, Wetlands, Indigenous vegetation, Stormwater management, Water harvesting, Efficient fixtures and appliances, Graywater, Wastewater treatment, Massing and orientation, Insulation levels, Glazing, Passive solar, HVAC, Lighting control and daylight harvesting, Efficient lighting, On-site renewable electricity, Adaptable design, Durability, Benign materials, Salvaged materials, Recycled materials, Local materials, Certified wood, C&D waste management, Occupant recycling, Connection to outdoors, Daylighting, Natural ventilation, Ventilation effectiveness, Thermal comfort, Low-emitting materials, Indoor air quality monitoring
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Overview
