Oakton College
OP-3: Building Design and Construction

Sustainability in Education

1. Reclaimed Barn Wood:  Instead of using newly harvested wood to create this accent
   wall, reclaimed wood roof sheathing was chosen from barns in
   Wonewoc Township and the Village of Readstown in Wisconsin.
   The use of local, reclaimed wood not only conserves trees,
   but also reduces the amount of water, energy, and oil used in
   processing and transportation.

2. Water Efficient Fixtures: Low-flow faucets, toilets and other water-saving fixtures
   reduce the building’s water usage by 35 percent, saving energy
   and money—as well as conserving this limited resource.

3. Recycled Content: Forty percent of the building’s construction materials consist
   of recycled content sourced within 500 miles. Local acquisition
   reduces carbon output and other energy costs associated with
   transportation. Many of the finishing touches are also sustainable;
   for instance, 40 percent of the material in the ecoresin accent
   panels along the walls is recycled, and natural elements add to
   their beauty.

4. High Efficiency Lighting: LED (light-emitting diode) light fixtures used for feature lighting
   and in laboratories burn longer and use less energy than
   traditional fluorescent bulbs. Because they last more than ten
   times as long, fewer bulbs need to be manufactured, installed,
   and discarded, resulting in less waste and more savings.

5. Low Energy Elevator: This EcoSpace Low-Rise Elevator uses approximately half the
   energy of a conventional traction elevator and about one-third
   the energy of a hydraulic elevator and requires no oil. It is also
   made from 95 percent recyclable materials.

6. Smart Controls: The Lee Center is fully equipped with smart electric technology.
   Daylight sensors detect the amount of natural light and alter the
   amount of electric lighting used in a given space. Occupancy
   sensors keep lights on when a room is in use and turn them off
   when it empties. These features maximize energy savings, because
   artificial light is used only when sufficient daylight is unavailable
   and rooms are occupied.

7. PV Cell Sun Shades: The PV panels above you convert the sun’s rays into electricity,
   generating energy for the Lee Center, while the shades block
   summer heat, still allowing light to pass. To view the tracking of
   real-time solar energy production, visit the interactive screen in
   the Center’s entryway.

8. Exterior Operable Blinds: Exterior-operable window blinds help maintain a comfortable
   work environment by reducing heat during the warm months
   from the setting sun. They also sense sun, ice, rain, and wind
   speeds and respond automatically to changing conditions
   throughout the day. During winter, the blinds retract, allowing
   the sun to heat the space.

9. Skylights:  “Daylighting” is a design strategy that uses natural sunlight to
   replace artificial light during the day. Skylight windows and the
   floor plan maximize sun exposure so nearly all spaces benefit
   from direct or borrowed light. Automatic shades are provided
   at each skylight to darken areas for presentations and to keep
   warm air in during the night.

10. Radiant Flooring: Heating and cooling account for most of the energy consumption
    in traditional buildings. Decorative and functional, the Lee Center’s
    polished concrete floors absorb winter sun and release heat
    throughout the day, a process known as passive solar heating.
    A closed-loop radiant heating system optimizes comfort and
    energy efficiency. These features reduce the reliance on standard
    HVAC systems for temperature control.

11. Open Stairs: The wide and open stairs frame views of the campus and are
    washed with natural light, encouraging their use and offering
    safer passage.

12.  Bioswale: Parking lots adjacent to the Lee Center were designed to guide
    water flow during storms into bioswales, landscape elements
    that absorb excess water and filter pollutants from runoff. These
    vegetated areas also provide another place to showcase native
    plants and trees, creating additional habitat for wildlife and plots
    for student exploration.

13. Snow Melt:  Heating the outdoor path below reduces the need for salt
    in the winter to provide a safe walking surface. This promotes
    a healthier natural environment, as salt can damage plants and
    leach into area waterways.

14. Exterior Classroom: This space can be used to hold classes outdoors to connect
    students with nature. The plant beds create hands-on observation
    plots for students while providing habitat for native plant and
    animal species, including important pollinators.