Emory University opened the doors to the school year with two new "green" freshman residence halls. Known as Few and Evans, they are the second and third residence halls to open that the university anticipates will achieve LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification through the U.S. Green Building Council.
The residence halls, which are adjoined to each other, encompass a "Living Green: Sustainability in the 21st Century" theme, and required all residents that were selected to live there to submit an application on sustainable living.
"Green" features of Few and Evans Halls include:
Roof storm water collected and dyed blue for use as nonpotable toilet flush water;Solar panels powering water cistern pumps;Regionally produced construction materials;Air conditioning system that features an energy recovery system and outside air economizer to increase air quality and reduce energy use;Energy monitors used to display energy consumption of the building; andIndividual climate and lighting controls available in each room.
In keeping with the university's water conservation efforts, Few and Evans include low flow showerheads and faucets and bathroom sinks have automatic shut off sensors. Additionally, toilets are dual flush (handles lift up for liquids, down for solids) and are designed to use less water.
Built as part of Emory's housing master plan, Few and Evans encompass five-stories, 111,000 square feet and 292 beds. The development includes communal lounges and study spaces on each floor. In addition to the typical features found in a residence hall, Few Hall also contains about 8,000 square feet of program space which includes a multi-purpose room, media den, demonstration kitchen, seminar room, project room, two classrooms and indoor bicycle storage that holds up to 43 bicycles for residents.
Emory's Board of Trustees endorsed LEED in 2002 for use as a guiding principle in the development of all the university's construction and renovation projects. Emory's commitment to a comprehensive "green" building program and its emergence as a national leader in this growing trend reflects the university's intention to develop an environmentally sustainable campus.
