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GREEN/SUSTAINABLE DESIGN

A DISTINCTIVEADDITION

Marquette University's Engineering Haii tacility, Miiwaukee. Photo courtesy ofMarquette University

BUILT TO TEACHThe $50 million, 115,000-square-foot first phase of Marquette Universify'sEngineering Hall facility, Milwaukee, was "built to teach" by seamlesslyintegrating state-of-the-art tools and technology into the building's struc-ture, including:

•A total of 130 sensors situated throughout the building that display tem-perature, wind speed and direction, water collection and usage, humidityand ather factors of the building. Data trom the sensors are available onmonitors throughout the building, as well as off-campus through the Web,enabling students ta monitor building energy consumption, water usageand structural forces.

•A two-story, high-bay lab with a 10-ton overhead crane, environmen-tal chamber, soils testing pit, and strong floor and strong wall that enablestudents to conduct structural and materials testing.

•An 8,000-square-toot Discovery Learning Studio that enables studentsto design, model and build prototypes of their projects.

•Exposed mechanical, plumbing and electrical systems to help studentssee firsthand the basic construction and building-management principlesthey learn in the classroom.

The facilify also features a primarily glass exterior and extensive use otglass tor interior walls, making laboratories, shops and classrooms visibleto students and visitors. Also, common areas on the lower level and firsffloor surround a central, open staircase, encouraging student-tacultyinteraction, and providing space tor teams to gather, brainstorm andproblem-solve.

Opus AE Group, Inc. (Milwaukee) was architect for the project, in col-laboration with HGA Architects (Milwaukee).

Mather High School, part of ChicagoPublic Schools, has received LEEDsilver certification from the U.S. GreenBuilding Council (USGBC) and con-firmed by the Green Building Certifi-cation Institute (GBCI).

The design team achieved certi-fication by carrying out sustainable-design features to optimize energyperformance, reduce water usage, andincorporate regional materials and re-cycled content into the project. Thesesustainable features will reduce costsfor the district and school, and cre-ate a more healthful environment forstudents, faculty and the surroundingcommunity.

The 160,215-square-foot campushouses 2,000 students. The projectincluded the renovation of the existingbuilding, as well as a 10,000-square-foot addition.

The single-story, double-height ad-dition includes a library, lobby, mainentrance, entrance canopy, toilets andtwo classrooms. It provides a more dis-tinctive entrance to make the schoolmore attractive, as well as increase thesize of the lobby and library.

The addition also included light-ing upgrades and new classrooms.Sustainable design elements includea greenhouse, creative reuse/recy-cling center, permeable pavers andincreased energy efficiency throughrenovation of all mechanical systems.

FGM Architects (Chicago) is archi-tect for the project.

Mather High School, Chicago.

JUNE 2012 • ASUMAG.COM • AMERiCAN SCHOOL & UNiVERSiTY 11

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