INTRODUCTION

Whether a building is big or small, the average building lasts longer than 100 years and therefore represents a significant impact on the environment - ecologically, socially, pedagogically and economically. 

The ecological and social concerns stem from the global connections inherent within our current procurement of resources for the construction and maintenance of a building. 

The pedagogy within architecture is determined by the planning process, as well as the priorities that are placed upon the facility.  Several examples of priorities are - its solar orientation, its esthetical components, the type of materials used, the type of facility being created, and other such priorities.  And, finally the economics behind any facility can be significant in its planning, construction and continued maintenance - ecologically and socially responsible architecture calls for the minimization of in and outflows from buildings (this includes from our pockets).

The ecological impact begins with the initial preparation of the building site.  These impacts extend to any region of the globe that extracted, harvested, and/or processed materials for construction or operation of the building are drawn from. For this reason, it is important that a well-defined campus environmental position is developed prior to any conceptual design on a new facility begins.
 
To have the built environment reflect the College's commitment to the environment, the design, construction, and renovation processes must allow for creative thinking, and include environmental and ecological impacts as integral parts of those processes.

To achieve this, Physical Plant is continuously reviewing its methods and material selection that will bring the most cost-effective results in reducing building impacts and improving occupant health, comfort and productivity.

As well, there is a campus-wide recognition of the importance of an integrated approach.  An integrated design process is the most effective means to achieve intended economical and environmental results.  This process brings together project participants, stakeholders and outside expertise at the earliest point in the project.  Bates College's Physical Plant Department is committed to managing all facets of buildings/renovation projects including ensuring a coordinated effort between the architect and engineer, which is critical in producing an optimal building for the client.

 To that end, some of the concerns and considerations that should be included in each building construction or renovation project are:

Energy

1. To further our understanding of the embodied energy within a building and the significance of this energy, categories that we are looking at include:

• The extraction and transportation of raw materials used in construction.
• The processing of raw materials into finished goods.
• The transportation for each of the constituent components at each stage of its processing cycle.
• Energy used during the construction process.

2.The quantity and type of energy demanded in order to operate the building over its lifetime - for indoor temperature, air quality, lighting, technologies, etc.
 
3. How much and what types of energy are, or will be, used in the demolition of the building and disposal or reuse of the demolition debris.

Materials

1. Understanding the appropriateness of materials for the climate that it is being placed in (i.e. no mud huts in Maine - wind and snow will demolish it).

2. Using materials that aim to be high in recycled content, non-toxic, biodegradable, recyclable and locally produced.
 
Other Considerations
 
1. Understanding the buildings impact on solar access (is another building being shadowed?) and in obstructing potential natural day lighting opportunities for new or existing facilities.

2. Another consideration worthy of inclusion here should be focused on strengthening the campuses sense of place by siting new facilities with respect to open spaces and incorporating traffic flow (including consideration of off-campus influences) for pedestrians and vehicular access in such a way that it minimizes the impact to the natural environment.

3. Creating spaces that can be renovated to meet the changing needs of the Bates College community. 

CURRENT STATUS

Buildings/Infrastructure

An example of Bates' commitment to environmental stewardship is the recently completed Lake Andrews Project.  Lake Andrews is a pond on campus that had been the repository of runoff and boiler blow-downs for many years.  As a consequence, the sediment contained high levels of phosphorus and metals. In the spring of 1999, major subsurface improvements to Lake Andrews were made.  Contaminated sediment was dredged and replaced with clean sand, the banks were re-graded and stabilized to prevent erosion, an underground infiltration system was installed to prevent pollutants from reaching the pond, and extensive plantings were incorporated to help maintain water quality.

The example noted above illustrates a measure that Bates has taken to address environmental concerns in its infrastructure development. 

Renovations

All new construction and renovation must comply with ASHRAE codes and energy efficiency standards.  Energy conservation measures have included weather stripping, replacing windows, and adding insulation where necessary.

Bates should continually strive for gains in energy efficiencies and "High Performance" construction techniques.   Aesthetics and economic exigencies need to be wed with sustainability principles to control the building design and construction process.  With the continued acquisition of properties and structures surrounding the existing campus, in planning construction of new buildings and renovating existing ones, new challenges and opportunities will be presented to continue to improve upon our environmental track record.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

1. New parking lots are constructed with storm water detention/collection systems, which help minimize the contaminants, which make their way into the storm water system.

2. Physical Plant continues with a program to replace windows and upgrade heating systems in the small houses, as funding is made available. 

3. Occupancy sensors have been placed where appropriate in all new construction and renovation projects.  Each installation is reviewed to determine if the payback of the sensor cost versus the potential energy saved makes sense.

4. Double-glazed windows and low flush toilets are standard in all building and renovation projects.

5. Physical Plant sorts and recycles all possible construction debris.

6.  Physical Plant is aggressive in using erosion control measures during construction to minimize erosion and the possibility of sediment entering local waterways.

7. In the year 2000 the college adopted a protocol for how major capital projects would be carried out.  As a result, the planning of the proposed Campus Center was an inclusive process with representatives serving on the Project Oversight Group from the Grounds and Building Committee of the Board of Trustees, Physical Plant, Information Services, Finance, Purchasing, and Environmental as well as representatives for the "customer".  In this case the customer included Students, Faculty and Dining Services.  Additionally all Bates College departments were interviewed and many open discussions were scheduled for the campus community to be involved in the process.

8. Sustainable design was acknowledged as an important aspect of the design process from the initial planning stages of the Campus Center project.  These early discussions will help to ensure timely and thoughtful consideration of sustainable design.  It is anticipated that this will continue to be a major component in the planning of all proposed construction/renovation projects.  It should be noted however that in addition to establishing the level of "building green" for each project well before conceptual design it is important that a well defined campus environmental position be developed/accepted by the most senior officials of the college prior to implementing any major construction or renovation project. 

9. Items scheduled for demolition in renovation projects such as 145 Nichols Street and Schaeffer Theater were reclaimed and delivered to various Physical Plant Shops for reuse on future renovations.

10. 200 or so tablet armchairs were scheduled for the dumpster, combined efforts of the Purchasing, Environmental and Physical Plant departments found new homes for all of the chairs.

11. Additional bicycle racks were provided in the Chase Hall/Carnegie Science Quad area as well as other locations across campus.

12. Replacement windows were installed at the Presidents House, John Bertram Hall, Leadbetter House.

13. An energy efficient skylight was installed to provide day lighting of an existing stairway at the Presidents House.

14. Ceiling fans were installed in various rooms at the Presidents House to reduce the need for mechanical air conditioning.

15. The renovations to Alumni Gym that expanded the court floor area utilized hardwood from a sustainable forest.

16. We try and obtain all of our lumber from local sources.  Certified wood comes from a pool of suppliers.  Chasing the chain to verify the origin is quite involved.  Hardwood is much easier to track the origin to verify that the wood was harvested from a sustainable forest.

17. Over the past 16 years we have increased the use of waterborne paints from 5% to 95%.  The 5% solvent-based paints are used only where absolutely necessary due to performance requirements.

18. All new lighting has energy saving ballasts for longer life without reducing light levels.

19. We are constantly researching cleaning products for less hazardous contents.

20. We have purchased a parts washer to eliminate oils etc. from entering the waste stream.   The solvent utilized in this process is environmentally friendly.

21. Dining Services has installed a new ventilation system in the main kitchen, which employs an advanced technical panel design to conserve electricity and gas.

22. Dining Services has also done the following:

• reduced water consumption, BOD levels, chemical usage and electrical usage through the elimination of garbage disposals throughout its operation and through new contracts that reduced the need for in-house laundry services.
  
• installed new doors on walk-in coolers and uses filters in all walk-in coolers and freezers to maximize electrical efficiency
  
• purchased a new catering delivery van to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions
  
• deleted the use of garbage disposals to further reduce electrical costs

FUTURE GOALS

The College, with the full participation by Physical Plant staff to the maximum feasible extent, adopts the following measures:

1. That the College will fund energy efficiency projects in order to apply more pressure on reducing the energy demand within buildings, and that savings will be realized accordingly.

2. That the College will incorporate energy and environmental research investigation and projects into the appropriate curriculum area (economics, environmental studies, sciences, etc.), and encourage students to analyze the costs and benefits of construction practices and energy utilization.

3. That the College will purchase, wherever possible, locally grown and produced, low-energy input, chemical free construction materials. Included among these materials will be certified wood that has been grown and harvested utilizing sustainable forestry practices.

4. That the College will adopt a policy to review the installation of any new equipment (copiers, laser printers, shop tools, appliances, etc.) in an area that has not been tested and approved for adequate ventilation.

5. That the College will adopt a policy of "Green" design, construction and operation practices including quantifiable targets of lower energy consumption, lower water usage, and construction waste recycling, or the guidelines set by a particular LEED certification that will enhance the learning experience at Bates.

6. That the College will continue its program of weatherization and retrofitting for conservation on existing and acquired structures as rapidly as is feasible.

7. That the College will, to the maximum extent feasible, utilize recycled materials in the construction, furnishing, and finishing of all new and renovated college properties.

8. That the college will maximize the amount of day lighting, where appropriate, in any and all renovations on the college campus.

Short term goals

Strive to achieve a healthier and cleaner environment by identifying and utilizing products that cause less toxic pollution and waste, conserve resources and habitats, and minimize global warming and ozone depletion.

Review materials utilized in building construction and renovations for environmental concerns such as material source, manufacturing process, transportation impacts, energy consumed in maintenance, and the product's "afterlife".

Incorporate energy savings measures noted in the Detailed Energy Study into our Master Construction Specifications as a guide for future campus construction/renovation projects.

Educate students, faculty and staff on day to day energy saving measures such as; shut windows when the heat is on, do no block base board heat or radiators with furniture, clothing or other materials that prohibit the heat to be released effectively etc.

Adjust water temperatures to the code required temperatures for maximum efficiency.   This has been tried in the past but users typically request higher temperatures.  To educate users it has been suggested that a sign be posted in the showers that reads: "We are environmentally responsible and have adjusted the temperatures to comply with code requirements".

Start a discussion with the Environmental Studies Program to utilize students in product research.  This information could be incorporated into our project specifications for future renovation and construction projects.

Coordinate efforts with the "Experiential College" program to help provide an opportunity for students to gain hands on experience of various Physical Plant activities such as landscaping, painting etc.

Long Term Goals

A Master Plan for the campus is recommended.  Utilizing this process should result in a full understanding of the needs of the Campus Community.  This will enable us to maximize the use of our existing facilities and plan any renovations or expansions to most efficiently/effectively meet the needs of the campus well into the future.  The following are some of the documents that may be prepared as part of this process:

• Existing Facilities Space Audit
• Existing Facilities Conditions Assessment
• Facility Utilization Study
• Peer Institution Benchmarking Analysis
• Needs Assessment
• Comprehensive Physical Development/Land Use Plan
• Implementation Plan

Implement a student initiated test for low-flow showerheads to be installed in student dorms.

Develop and maintain building standards and principles that will apply to all building construction and renovation projects.  These standards shall incorporate sustainable design methodology for high performance buildings.

Dining Services recognizes the need for a new facility. Our current bi-level operation in Chase Hall requires excessive electrical usage for dumbwaiters and freight elevators as well as daily transportation of food off-site to the Mays Center for a Monday through Friday satellite luncheon service.