Laboratory space was designed for sustainable features such as environmental quality and energy efficiency. (Photos by Justin Maconochie)

The atrium of the science complex.

ALBION, Mich. – Albion College is going green and its new science complex is a testament to the new earth friendly attitude.

The science complex—a project that involved the renovation and expansion of the existing science center—has received Silver Certification from the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

A ceremony marking the “green building” award was held on Thursday, April 19, at 4:45 p.m. in the atrium of the science complex, located at the corner of Michigan Ave. and Hannah St. The nearly 200 people in attendance heard from Trustee Paul Tobias, '73; Trustee Emeritus Bruce Kresge, '53; professor of geological sciences Timothy Lincoln; and President Peter Mitchell, '67.

Albion’s science complex is Michigan’s first large-scale science project to receive a silver or higher LEED rating, and only the third science-related structure at a college or university in Michigan.

“I think it's great,” said Thomas Wilch, associate professor of geological sciences who spearheaded the faculty side of the construction and renovation project. “It’s important for both practical and symbolic reasons given the high cost of energy and because people are concerned about using energy. The building reflects the ideals of many of the Albion College community, and in terms of environmental stewardship I think it’s an important message to send to our students and the greater community at large.”

Earning a silver LEED rating in the sciences is especially challenging because of the complex infrastructure required in terms of energy use, ventilation, and other considerations.

Some “green” features of the new science complex include:

• extensive use of recycled construction materials;
• low-emission paint, sealants, and carpet for improved indoor air quality;
• water- and energy-conservation systems that will allow the complex to use 30 percent less energy than a comparable building;
• solar electrical panels, a wind turbine, and solar water heating demonstrating the potential of alternative energy sources;
• landscaping that includes wildflowers and other native species, requiring less water and providing wildlife habitats.

In determining whether a building meets LEED standards, the USGBC examines performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality.

The Albion College science complex is the first project on campus designed using “green building” elements. The environmentally friendly renovation and expansion of the complex consisted of overhauling three existing classroom and laboratory buildings, as well as the construction of a four-story hall and greenhouse. The four-building complex is connected through a large, glassed-in atrium offering an abundance of natural light.

The complex marks the first time in decades at Albion that the sciences and mathematics have been under one roof. Access to state-of-the-art technology and instrumentation in a variety of classroom, seminar, and laboratory settings as well as increased faculty and student research space helps is fostering mentor-apprentice relationships among faculty and students, and the complex is used as a learning tool to showcase sustainable building practices and to help promote environmental stewardship.

“The architects and engineers did a very good job of meeting the LEED specifications and that was critical for the process,” Wilch said. “We made decisions on a case-by-case basis on certain aspects of the design and construction, and it shows our intentionality of having a green building.”

The lead architect for the project, Alan Hohlfelder, of MacLachlan, Cornelius & Filoni, Inc., Architects of Pittsburgh, Penn., is a LEED-certified architect and was key to achieving silver LEED certification, according to Wilch, as were the general contractors, the Christman Company of Lansing.

The USGBC is a coalition of 8,500 leaders from every sector of the building industry working to promote buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to live and work. The organization’s core purpose is to “transform the way buildings and communities are designed, built and operated, enabling an environmentally and socially responsible, healthy, and prosperous environment that improves the quality of life,” according to its web site.

“The silver LEED certification from the USGBC is important because it’s an excellent way to demonstrate our commitment on campus to environmental responsibility,” said Troy VanAken, executive vice president of the College. “Because these are major issues that face us as global citizens in the next decades, we are trying to model a world here that is green and environmentally friendly as we teach responsible practices to our students.

“I am ecstatic that we were able to achieve a silver rating and feel this is going to be the type of project that we’ll look to for future construction, taking things we learn and applying them as we develop our next master plan for the campus.”


Fun facts about Albion’s new “green” science complex:

Sustainable site

• Planning minimizes ecological effects during construction and renovation.
• Design integrates the building into its surroundings.
• Equivalent acreage to the building site is preserved at the Albion College Nature Center, prevented from future development in order to foster natural wildlife habitats.
• Landscaping around much of the complex utilizes native species, encouraging wildlife habitats and requiring less water and maintenance.
• The reflective roof coating reduces the “heat island effect” around the building. The parking lot is equipped with recharging stations for electric cars.
• Parking preference is given to those who carpool to campus. Bicycle racks and shower areas are available to encourage those who commute by bike.
• Exterior lighting was chosen to reduce light pollution.

Water and energy efficiency

• The complex is expected to use 30 percent less energy than a comparable building, lowering energy costs by an estimated $150,000 annually.
• Biofiltration swales and an underground storage water system enable the complex to retain 25 percent more storm water easing the burden on the City of Albion’s storm sewer system.
• Gray water is harvested and used for watering greenhouse plants.
• Electrical consumption is reduced by an automatic lighting control system.

Indoor environmental quality

• The renovated building is filled with light. More than 90 percent of regularly occupied spaces in the science complex have views of the campus or atrium.
• Volatile organic compound (VOC) sensors monitor air quality and increase outside airflow when satisfactory levels are not met. Low VOC sealants, paint and carpeting were specified for the building interior.
• Smoking is prohibited in the building.

Materials and Resources

• The science complex more than doubled LEED requirements for use of regional materials and recycled content during renovation.
• Sixty-seven percent of construction debris (more than 1,600 tons) was recycled and diverted from landfills.
• Minimizing fuel consumption and emissions, 88 percent of materials traveled less than 500 miles to the Albion College campus.
• Recycled products totaled 27 percent of all materials used.
• Rapidly renewable materials such as linoleum and cork were used as flooring for the atrium and laboratories.
• Wood products for the doors, wood trim and lab casework were harvested from forests certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, which promotes sustainable forest management.
• Trees that were removed from the site during construction were milled and used in the atrium staircase.
• Recycling is required in the building.

Innovation and design

• “Green housekeeping” procedures have been put in place by Albion College, and are becoming the campus-wide standard.
• With the solar electrical panels, solar water heating and a wind turbine, the project is modeling alternative energy sources and how they can be used.
• Five LEED-accredited professionals served on the design and construction teams.
• Two Albion College students were hired as interns by the Christman Company to manage the LEED documentation.

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