Designed by Bruner/Cott & Associates, the R.W. Kern Center on Hampshire College’s campus recently became the largest Living Certified higher education project in the world. The 17,000-sf building cost $10.4 million, including $7.4 million in construction.
The Kern Center originally opened as a multi-functional welcome center in April 2016. It includes a central double-height, glass-pavilion atrium that houses a café, lounge, and gallery. Two stone-clad wings house admissions and financial aid offices and classrooms with views of an amphitheater, rainwater harvesting reservoirs, solar farm, orchard, and wildflower meadow.
Courtesy Bruner/Cott & Associates.
In order to achieve Living Building Certification, the project owners were required to document at least one year of performance and achieve all 20 imperatives that are part of the Challenge. Project highlights include:
— Net-zero water attained through rainwater collection and treatment systems
— Net-zero energy achieved via PVs on the roof, which generate about 17% more energy than the building uses
— Biophilic elements such as local stone and wood
— Red List compliant building materials that avoid products made with toxic chemicals
Courtesy Bruner/Cott & Associates.
The completed building is used as a teaching tool by the college. Students can study the circulation of carbon and water in waste treatment and algorithms for monitoring its energy use.
The Building Team included Wright Builders, Inc. (GC), Kohler & Lewis Engineers (mechanical and plumbing engineer), R.W. Sullivan Engineering (electrical engineer), Foley Buhl Roberts & Associates, Inc. (structural engineer), and Richard Burke Associates (landscape).
Related Stories
| Apr 6, 2012
Flat tower green building concept the un-skycraper
A team of French designers unveil the “Flat Tower” design, a second place winner in the 2011 eVolo skyscraper competition.
| Apr 3, 2012
Johns Manville publishes 2011 Sustainability Report
Report covers JM’s long-time sustainability focus and progress towards goals.
| Apr 2, 2012
Gilbane honored for sustainability efforts in Indianapolis
Emmitt J. Bean Federal Center project team for their role in advancing sustainability in the city.
| Mar 28, 2012
Milestone reached for LEED-certified buildings?
Total number of major global green buildings now stands at 12,000.
| Mar 16, 2012
Stego embarks on HPD Pilot Program
Vapor barrier manufacturer strives to provide better green choices to designers and builders.
| Mar 12, 2012
Improving the performance of existing commercial buildings: the chemistry of sustainable construction
Retrofitting our existing commercial buildings is one of the key steps to overcoming the economic and environmental challenges we face.
| Feb 26, 2012
Alvarez-Glasman & Colvin’s Chen LEED certified
Chen works closely with property owners to ensure that their properties meet and exceed all industry standards, and also provide long-term energy savings.
| Feb 17, 2012
Tremco Inc. headquarters achieves LEED Gold certification
Changes were so extensive that the certification is for new construction and not for renovation; officially, the building is LEED-NC.
| Feb 15, 2012
Code allowance offers retailers and commercial building owners increased energy savings and reduced construction costs
Specifying air curtains as energy-saving, cost-cutting alternatives to vestibules in 3,000-square-foot buildings and larger has been a recent trend among consulting engineers and architects.
| Jan 9, 2012
Thornton Tomasetti acquires green consulting firm Fore Solutions
International engineering firm launches new building sustainability practice.
