Green Building at Macalester

from the Macalester Public Knowledge Base

Student Ideas for Greening the Athletics Facility

This list includes a wide variety of student ideas ranging from things we really think need to be done to make this a seriously green building, great ideas for features that should work, some unusual concepts/ suggestions, and also ideas for additional/ alternative uses that many students think are very important.

• Green roof or roof-top gardening on large areas, perhaps move part of the MULCH garden’s area to on-top of the roof (although some crops will need deeper soil elsewhere). This could be done on the natorium roof which is being left intact to incorporate it into the green building design. MacCARES (Macalester Conservation and Renewable Energy Society) would be willing to help with planning, design, and installation. A pilot project is being designed for a much smaller area spring 2006, so a plan for this could be developed by spring 2007.
• An ENSURED space for the MULCH garden, even if rooftop gardening idea falls through. We want to make sure the administration covers this in its plans, and even if not a physical feature of green building, is an essential part of the concept of sustainability.
• Solar panels that directly supply the building.
• Water recycling (gray water used to flush toilets, etc.)
• Cogeneration?
• Attaching bikes and other exercise equipment in the recreation center to electrical generators to power the building; make building a net power generator, or at least supply some electricity (so much kinetic energy being wasted!).
• Geothermal (soil temperature gradient) heating and cooling, which would greatly reduce fuel use, costs, and fossil fuel emissions.
• Use materials and construction methods that passively circulate air and regulate temperature.
• Reduce impervious surfaces and use native plants, possibly though the plastic support structures around the building that Intep discussed.
• Prevent expansion of parking areas in favor of greener, pedestrian-friendly spaces and encourage foot and bike friendly transportation. We would encourage additional parking under the Green Building if it would eliminate the need for the massive, multi-level garage proposed for near the arts building in the Campus Master Plan, since it would actually be reducing parking space and locate it underground.
• Passive solar energy/lighting with southern exposures and northern insulation. Solar lighting/ heating of large, open areas like the gym.
• Community art/ expression areas like wall for murals/ art/ writing.
• CFLs where non-solar lighting is necessary.
• Use timbers, girders, flooring, etc. wherever possible from the old athletics building or other condemned buildings in the neighborhood. Deconstruct rather than demolish the existing building to minimize materials going to the landfill. Also use salvaged parts and remanufactured materials from sources other than buildings. Use recycled products for much of the new construction. For example in the Green Institute they have tables made of reused sunflower seed husks (quite beautiful too).
• Just like they have motion sensor lights, they have now created CO2 sensors that can tell when people are in a room and can thus turn on and off ventilation, heat, air-conditioning etc. which can save on energy, CO2, and costs.
• Having a roof-top grazing area with one or more sheep (both to increase green space and connect to Macalester’s Scottish heritage).
• Using solar-thermal coils on the roof that absorb solar heat and use it to heat the building. This would eliminate fuel needs, CO2, and costs.
• Specific passive solar heating of the pool because this area is not being renovated for sustainability.
• Potential biodiesel manufacturing space located near garage entryway, permanent space for biodiesel vehicle (Mac Conservation and Renewable Energy Society has a bio-diesel generation project awaiting space for the generator and a diesel vehicle).
• Integrate building design with increased purchasing of green energy either through cooperative program with another college, or through increased wind purchasing through Windsource for the amount that the new building uses… if not more.
• Permanent MacBike/ Bikeshare shop and storage area (this works well with the idea of an athletic facility) Ample space for bicycles and a bike-workshop for the active MacBike program.
• Permanent student-run campus and community space (infoshop) incorporated into building plan (with kitchen!).