Certified LEED Platinum by the US Green Building Council
Instead of constructing a new building for its environmental programs, Middlebury created an exciting model of resource conservation and energy efficiency through the adaptive reuse of an historic 1875 Vermont farmhouse. Completed in June 2007, the Franklin Environmental Center at Hillcrest serves as the center of environmental leadership and learning at Middlebury, creating a much needed hub for students, staff and faculty to gather and share ideas.
In 2008, the Franklin Environmental Center at Hillcrest received LEED Platinum certification from the US Green Building Council, the highest designation awarded for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. This was the first building in Vermont to achieve LEED Platinum, and seventh in the nation under LEED NC 2.2 standards. Local materials, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified wood, groundwater exchange air-conditioning, energy efficient windows and lights, low-flow faucets, and solar panels are just a few of the sustainable features of this building.
The renovation of this structure, which over the years served as a women’s dormitory, a classroom space, and faculty offices, illustrates how sustainability can be uniquely rooted in history and place. As Middlebury President Ronald D. Liebowitz said, “With the College’s ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability, this renovation marks a new milestone in bringing historic Vermont buildings up to the sustainability standards so critical to our future.”
Before the creation of the Franklin Environmental Center at Hillcrest, those involved with environmental studies, environmental affairs, and sustainability were scattered throughout the campus. The Franklin Environmental Center at Hillcrest is now home to the Dean of Environmental Affairs, the Environmental Studies program, the Sustainability Integration Office, the Environmental Outreach and Service Learning program, and the Middlebury Fellowships in Environmental Journalism. There are 14 staff and faculty offices, cozy meeting spaces, study carrels, the Lintilhac Senior Seminar Studio, and The Orchard, a high-tech lecture hall for College events including the weekly Howard E. Woodin Environmental Studies Colloquium Series.
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"This building is a powerful example that green architecture doesn't demand a cleared site and a new foundation—that we know tricks enough these days to make any building work both for its users and for the planet."
—Bill McKibben, Scholar in Residence in Environmental Studies |
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In designing the project, the College relied on its Guiding Principles, which were adopted in 1999 to provide sustainability criteria for construction, renovation, operation and maintenance of campus facilities. The Principles are a statement of purpose that defines how the College and its appointees will make decisions relating to both the built environment and the natural environment.
This renovation involved extensive upgrades to the original structure and the construction of a new two-story addition. All of this was accomplished while maintaining the historic exterior trim and siding of the original building. The old annex was deconstructed and over 80% of materials were recycled or reclaimed, diverting waste from the landfill. Original wood floors in much of the building were refinished and patched, and salvaged slate was used to repair the existing roof.
Additionally, a peaceful courtyard replaced twelve parking spaces with plants that absorb precipitation and reduce runoff into local waterways. These drought-tolerant, native species also eliminate the need for irrigation and fertilizer. Porches and trees along the building provide shade, reducing the need for air conditioning.
Elizabeth Quinn ’09 takes advantage of sunny spring afternoons by working in the courtyard. Quinn is fond of the trees, including Thornless Honeylocust and Washington Hawthorn, which provide additional shade for the site. Both of these species are native to Vermont, requiring less water for irrigation. |
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Middlebury College sourced numerous materials locally within the state of Vermont. These include slate for floors and roofs that came from the Poultney area, stone for the foundation and stone walls from nearby Panton, granite from Barre, limestone from Isle LaMotte, and Forest Stewardship Council certified hardwood trim and flooring from College-owned forests. Vermont furniture makers were commissioned to construct office desks, chairs, tables and study carrels made from local wood, which in most cases was also certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. There are chairs by Cotswold, which is located in Whiting; tables and desks with surfaces made from sunflower husks by Neudorfer, from Waterbury; cabinets from Business Interiors in Burlington; and sofas from Pompanoosuc Mills in East Thetford.
To minimize energy needed for air conditioning, only essential spaces (The Orchard and two offices) are cooled using a geothermal exchange system. Cold water from an underground well cools a fluid that circulates through the building cooling the air for these three rooms. This process minimizes electricity use and decreases greenhouse gas emissions associated with conventional air conditioning.
This building uses 47% less energy than a standard building of the same size. CFC-free insulating foam (icynene), energy efficient windows (double glazed, low-E coating, argon-filled), and airlocks ensure that the building envelope is extremely tight and energy efficient. Additional efficiency features include appliances that use less energy like the “on demand” hot water system and an Energy Star refrigerator.
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ES/conservation biology major Julie Erickson ’08, describes the building as a perfect meeting between the old and the new, the traditional and the innovative. “I love that even with the new updates, the building hasn’t completely lost its old quaint country vibes,” she said. “You really have the feel of being in an old farmhouse.” |
Local, Natural, Recycled and Certified Materials
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The southern annex was removed and over 80% of the materials were recycled or reclaimed. |
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Original wood floors in much of the remaining structure were refinished (to the extent possible) and patched. |
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Architectural woodwork (new flooring, ceiling slats, wall base, millwork) including maple from Middlebury’s Bread Loaf forest and Vermont Family Forest's lands is from forests certified by the Forest Stewardship Council as sustainably managed. |
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Local materials are used throughout the building – slate floors and roofs, Panton stone and Champlain marble for the site wall and stone foundation veneer, Barre granite for the kitchenette counter, hardwoods from local forests, windows and concrete, bathroom wall tiles created by a Vermont artist, and furniture in offices and classrooms from nine different local craftspeople. |
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Slate from the removed annex was reused to repair the existing roof and new slate from the Fair Haven area was specified for the new roofs. |
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Paperstone, made from recycled paper and cashew nut resin, was used for the lobby counter. Furnishings include many recyclable items with a high percentage of recycled content including: carpeting, chairs and fabrics, slate and wood flooring, and acoustic ceilings. |
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Recycling containers are in each office and classroom and a bay of containers is conveniently located in the heavily used main corridor. |
| Energy Conservation, Efficiency and Renewable Sources |
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The building envelope is extremely tight. This was accomplished without disturbing historic exterior trim and siding. Key features include chlorofluorocarbon free insulating foam (icynene) in the walls and ceilings which provides a true vapor and air barrier, energy efficient wood windows (as discussed above), insulation below the slabs and at the foundation walls, air and vapor seals around all wall penetrations and airlocks at major entrances. |
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A blower door test was conducted during construction and afterward during commissioning to find and patch invisible air leaks and ensure tightness of the building envelope. |
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A 7 kilowatt bank of solar panels was installed on the south. The electricity from this source of renewable energy will provide 15 to 20% of the power used in the building. A pyranometer will also be installed to collect data on the solar radiation falling on the roof which will be used for research on the performance of the panels under varying climactic conditions. |
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Fifty percent of the purchased electricity for the building comes from “cow power” – electricity generated by burning methane captured from decomposing manure at Vermont dairy farms. |
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Offices have individual temperature controls and occupancy sensors that automatically turn lights on and off. |
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Air conditioning is minimized – ceiling fans and mechanical ventilation supplement the natural ventilation in occupied spaces. Windows can be opened so that each room can benefit from cross ventilation. |
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A geothermal groundwater system is used to cool the colloquium space in summer and an environmentally friendly refrigerant new to the market is used as a coolant. |
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The building temperature is monitored and controlled through a central energy management system. |
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The building is heated by a biomass powered central steam plant which co-generates 15-20 % of the electricity used (operational Dec. 1, 2008). |
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The ventilation system uses highly efficient motors and controls. A heat recovery system takes heat from outgoing air and warms incoming cool air reducing the amount of energy needed to warm the building. |
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The project employed full commissioning through design and construction as well as blower door testing during construction to ensure the tightness of the building envelope. |
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High efficiency lighting is used throughout the building; the placement of windows and glass transoms over office doors is designed to allow natural light to reach indoor spaces reducing the consumption of electricity for lighting. |
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Exterior lighting fixtures have been reduced in number and changed in type to minimize light pollution. |
| Water Conservation, Native Landscaping, Transportation |
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The building has low water-use fixtures include waterless urinal, low-flush toilets, and low-flow showerhead for bike-commuter shower. |
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Twelve parking spaces were eliminated to make way for a pleasant native-landscaped courtyard where people can gather outside the building. |
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Trees planted along the south side of the building provide summer shade and reduce solar heat gain. |
All plantings are native species that do not require fertilizer or supplemental watering. |
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Sheltered bike racks are available, as well as a shower in the building for biking commuters, to encourage bike travel. |
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Parking space dedicated for alternative fuel vehicles is provided. |
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The building provides full ADA compliance, with two at-grade entrances and an elevator. |
| Healthy Indoor Air Quality |
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Low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) products were used exclusively in paints and recycled carpets. Water based, low VOC finishes were used on desks, tables and carrels. |
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A two-week air flush out of the building and mechanical systems was done prior to occupancy to clear the air from construction residue and vapors. |
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A central vacuum system decreases the level of airborne particles dispersed during cleaning. Classroom and office windows can be opened to circulate fresh air. |
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Architect: Steve Smith, Smith Alvarez Sienkiewycz, Architects
Contractor: Mike Hulbert, H.P. Cummings
Project Manager: Mark Gleason
Hillcrest program committee: Glenn Andres, Jack Byrne, Rebecca Gould, Nan Jenks-Jay (chair), Chris McGrory Klyza, Kevin McAteer, Beth McDermott, Kathy Morse, Pete Ryan, Steve Trombulak, Janet Wiseman, Asher Burns-Burg