LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The University of Louisville’s recently renovated Duthie Center for Engineering has received a highly rated national certification for its energy-conscious design.
The U.S. Green Building Council, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit agency that promotes sustainability, has granted the Gold Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) award to the 34,000-square-foot facility at UofL’s Speed School of Engineering.
Because the former library was renovated, it automatically qualified for several LEED credits for using the existing building and site. The Duthie Center for Engineering now includes several sustainability features, which resulted in it qualifying for the LEED gold certification.
The renovation reused 95 percent of the structure, including exterior walls, roof decking and structural floor; during demolition, 77 percent of the materials that weren’t reused were recycled. The building materials used had 27 percent recycled content, and 31 percent were produced regionally.
Lighting and air controls were designed to adjust for individual needs, with energy-saving thermostats and a shutdown of the air-handling unit and classroom lighting when the space is unoccupied. The lighting uses energy-efficient fixtures and eliminates incandescent lamps.
The center uses 54 percent less water than is typical for its fixtures. For better air quality, greener materials were used inside and a special entrance reduces dirt and dust at the doorway. Other features include new landscaping and patio areas, designated parking spots for low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehicles, secure bike racks and nearby access to bus lines and shuttle.
The center houses the Speed School’s career services center, a student commons area with food court, freshman engineering teaching laboratories and classrooms, as well as offices and laboratories for the computer engineering and computer science department.
For more information, call Ken Dietz, university architect, at 502-852-6176.