University of Idaho
OP-4: Building Design and Construction

Between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2018, the University of Idaho completed two major capital projects certified LEED GOLD by the U.S. Green Building Council. 1. Integrated Research and Innovation Center (IRIC), completed 2016, certified 2017, 83,301 sf; 2. College of Education Building, completed 2016, certified 2017, 58,360 sf Both projects were certified under the USGBC LEED 2009, New Construction and Major Renovations standards. The IRIC facility was a new build on a brownfield site – it replaced a former structure which had occupied the site and which was removed to make way for the IRIC facility. The College of Education Building was a whole-building renovation of a 1968 structure which previously housed the College of Education as well. The existing structure was demolished back to foundations and structural framing.

The University of Idaho maintains the following green building guidelines and policies: 1. The University of Idaho Long Range Campus Development Plan (LRCDP): Developed in the 1990’s and published as an update in 2000, the University of Idaho Long Range Campus Development Plan (LRCDP) incorporates many green building principles, strategies, and concepts within its nine goals and objectives. The LRCDP has played a critical role in the development of the campus and its facilities since first developed and published in 1997. Chief among these are the notions of stewardship, preservation and the maintenance of a compact, pedestrian-oriented, walkable core of campus. The LRCDP is the main factor in the arrest of “campus sprawl” and the concentration of new structures on brownfield sites located within the core of campus. The LRCDP incorporates specific precepts, strategies, and technologies related to sustainable building design in the design and construction of each facility Plan. Architectural responses and strategies such as siting based upon environmental determinants, daylighting, solar shading of glazing and sustainable materials such as the use of strawboard are incorporated in facilities such as the Idaho Commons, Student Recreation Center, and Agricultural Biotechnology Laboratory. Building systems are designed to be efficient – often exceeding Idaho State Energy Code requirements - and make use of strategies such as heat recovery, VFD’s, zoning, location of intakes based upon environmental determinants, and digital controls. The complete text of the LRCDP is located at: https://www.uidaho.edu/infrastructure/facilities/aes/campus-development-plan https://www.uidaho.edu/-/media/UIdaho-Responsive/Files/infrastructure/Facilities/LRCDP/lrcdp.pdf 2. The University of Idaho Administrative Procedures Manual (APM) Chapter 40 of the University of Idaho Administrative Procedures Manual (APM) provides several sections which describe sustainable building policies and guidelines for the development and renovation of university facilities. a. Section 40.03 – New and Major Renovation Building Policy This section sets the U.S. Green Building Council LEED SILVER rating, or equivalent, as the university’s sustainable building standard. https://www.uidaho.edu/apm/40/03 b. Section 40.12 – Sustainability Revolving Loan Fund This sections provides for a Sustainability Revolving Loan Fund (SRLF) funds innovative projects that reduce environmental impacts and provide economic benefits. https://www.uidaho.edu/apm/40/12 c. Section 40.26 - Energy Management This section sets standards and expectations for a coordinated energy conservation program. https://www.uidaho.edu/apm/40/26 3. University of Idaho Architectural & Engineering Services Forms and Standards UI Architectural & Engineering Services is the unit charged with administering the university’s capital project design and construction program. UI A & E Services publishes several standards which are made available to the design and engineering consultants, vendors and contractors hired to implement design and construction efforts. a. Building Metering Standards This standard provides information related to building systems metering for a variety of energy and resource systems. https://www.uidaho.edu/-/media/UIdaho-Responsive/Files/infrastructure/Facilities/Standards/Metering-Standards.pdf?la=en&hash=47767FC90ABD2C3C99BFF0A81D3C1F586A8B52CC b. Building Management and Controls Systems This standard provides information related to DDC and BAS controls systems. https://www.uidaho.edu/-/media/UIdaho-Responsive/Files/infrastructure/Facilities/Standards/CONTROL-STANDARDS.pdf?la=en&hash=A59A27B1A42DCA375F58D5101235758F44E86E87 c. Design and Construction Standards This document lays out expectations and principles for the design and construction of university facilities. It provides for specification of materials and systems. The document is intended to create a common starting point for the design, construction, renovation and general care of all facilities on the University of Idaho campuses statewide. Principles of sustainability are included throughout as one of the main criteria driving the standards. The document also describes the university’s expectations and standards regarding the commissioning of building systems. https://www.uidaho.edu/-/media/UIdaho-Responsive/Files/infrastructure/Facilities/Standards/design-construction-standards.pdf

As noted above, the University of Idaho has incorporated specific precepts, strategies, and technologies related to sustainable building design in the design and construction of each facility recently identified and completed under the current Long Range Campus Development Plan (LRCPD). Architectural responses and strategies such as siting based upon environmental determinants, daylighting, solar shading of glazing and sustainable materials such as the use of strawboard are incorporated in facilities such as the Idaho Commons (2000), Student Recreation Center (2001), and Agricultural Biotechnology Laboratory (2001). Mechanical systems are designed to be efficient – the university has elected to pursue the requirements of the Washington State Energy Code, which often exceeds Idaho State Energy Code requirements - and make use of strategies such as heat recovery, VFD’s, zoning, location of intakes based upon environmental determinants, and digital controls.

University of Idaho Architectural & Engineering Services is responsible to ensure that the policies and standards described above are incorporated into the new construction and major renovation efforts of the university. The policies and standards described apply to all university divisions, departments, offices and their contractors responsible for financing, planning, designing, developing, constructing, renovating and managing University-owned facilities and buildings, regardless of location. UI A & E Services reviews all desired projects against these standards and works to ensure that siting decisions, planning, programming and conceptual designs are in alignment with the standards. Siting decisions are often reviewed by stakeholders such as the Campus Panning Advisory Committee (CPAC), which is a formal committee under the auspices of the Faculty Senate. Once a siting recommendation is reached, UI A & E Services drafts recommendations for review by the University of Idaho Executive team. The applicable section of the university’s Administrative Procedures Manual are in place to ensure that the policies are followed campus-wide and that they are not circumvented. Once into the design phases and construction phases of a capital project, UI A & E Services is charged with ensuring that the design and construction team are aware of the various design and construction standards, and that they work to achieve them. UI A & E Services coordinates with UI Building Trades and UI Utilities and Engineering Services personnel to ensure that standards and best practices are incorporated and met. Where other state agencies (e.g., Division of Public Works or Idaho State Building Authority) have responsibility for delivering the construction or renovation project, the university strives to work with the agency in developing and delivering a project meeting the standards outlined above. Exemptions. Buildings whose primary use is for agricultural or machinery storage, animal shelters, and similar uses are exempt from this policy until a LEED rating system is designed suitable to these types of structures.

https://www.uidaho.edu/infrastructure/facilities/aes/campus-development-plan https://www.uidaho.edu/-/media/UIdaho-Responsive/Files/infrastructure/Facilities/LRCDP/lrcdp.pdf http://www.uidaho.edu/apm/40/03 https://www.uidaho.edu/apm/40/12 https://www.uidaho.edu/apm/40/26 https://www.uidaho.edu/-/media/UIdaho-Responsive/Files/infrastructure/Facilities/Standards/Metering-Standards.pdf?la=en&hash=47767FC90ABD2C3C99BFF0A81D3C1F586A8B52CC https://www.uidaho.edu/-/media/UIdaho-Responsive/Files/infrastructure/Facilities/Standards/CONTROL-STANDARDS.pdf?la=en&hash=A59A27B1A42DCA375F58D5101235758F44E86E87 https://www.uidaho.edu/-/media/UIdaho-Responsive/Files/infrastructure/Facilities/Standards/design-construction-standards.pdf