Spring Break
Multicultural Center opens doors for first tours
Erin McCarthy
Issue date: 12/5/08 Section: News
Members of Western Illinois University's Sustainability Committee took a tour of the new Multicultural Center Thursday.
As part of Western Illinois' effort to join the green revolution, the new Multicultural Center is a LEED Silver construction, adhering to the certification requirements set by the U.S. Green Building Council.
According to www.usgbc.org, the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System has become a nationally accepted standard for design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. LEED promotes a comprehensive approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.
Ted Renner, construction project coordinator, led the tour throughout the building, informing the Sustainability Committee on the different aspects of the Multicultural Center that make it LEED Silver, beginning with sustainable site development.
The location of the building, as well as the incorporation of a grass roof, adds to the Multicultural Center's sustainability.
"There have been a lot of questions as to how the grass roof will be maintained," Renner said. "Aside from the occasional weeding, the roof actually won't need much maintenance at all once it's established."
The grass roof consists of seven layers: corrugated metal, gypsum growth medium, fluid asphalt, a granular material, a drainage mat and a layer of sedum. The top layer is made up of eight different types of seed and will result in four inches of coarse shrubbery. The goal of a vegetated roof is to reduce the heat island effect and insulate the space below, and it lasts longer than traditional roofing.
The Multicultural Center's energy efficiency stems from the use of natural lighting, geothermal heating and cooling and variable frequency drives.
"Most of the light during the day comes from the large amount of windows on the northern side of the building," said Renner. "This allows us to benefit from the sunlight without getting all the heat."
As part of Western Illinois' effort to join the green revolution, the new Multicultural Center is a LEED Silver construction, adhering to the certification requirements set by the U.S. Green Building Council.
According to www.usgbc.org, the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System has become a nationally accepted standard for design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. LEED promotes a comprehensive approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.
Ted Renner, construction project coordinator, led the tour throughout the building, informing the Sustainability Committee on the different aspects of the Multicultural Center that make it LEED Silver, beginning with sustainable site development.
The location of the building, as well as the incorporation of a grass roof, adds to the Multicultural Center's sustainability.
"There have been a lot of questions as to how the grass roof will be maintained," Renner said. "Aside from the occasional weeding, the roof actually won't need much maintenance at all once it's established."
The grass roof consists of seven layers: corrugated metal, gypsum growth medium, fluid asphalt, a granular material, a drainage mat and a layer of sedum. The top layer is made up of eight different types of seed and will result in four inches of coarse shrubbery. The goal of a vegetated roof is to reduce the heat island effect and insulate the space below, and it lasts longer than traditional roofing.
The Multicultural Center's energy efficiency stems from the use of natural lighting, geothermal heating and cooling and variable frequency drives.
"Most of the light during the day comes from the large amount of windows on the northern side of the building," said Renner. "This allows us to benefit from the sunlight without getting all the heat."
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