Thursday, March 20, 2014

Shippensburg University apartment construction continues, wins green award



The second phase of Shippensburg University's student housing construction continues, with contractors aiming to finish by the start of the fall term.

Meanwhile, phase one has received a 2014 ForeverGreen Award for Excellence in Green Building Design and Construction from the U.S. Green Building Council–Central Pennsylvania Region. The project was recognized in the “Sustainability in Higher Education” category.

Campus Apartments of Philadelphia and Shippensburg University Student Services Inc. are collaborating on the project.

“We’re thrilled to receive the ForeverGreen Award. Our entire design and construction team, in collaboration with SUSSI, has been fully committed to developing facilities that not only meet the needs of the university, but are also efficient, sustainable and healthy for students,” said Warren H. Burke, Jr., vice president of development at Campus Apartments. “We’ve worked closely with students and staff to educate them about the benefits of green building, helping to build awareness around the positive impact of sustainability on campus and on the environment.”

The first phase was selected for its sustainable design, planning, construction and operation, according to a news release from Campus Apartments. Local materials were used throughout construction, and nearly 98 percent of the demolished materials were salvaged to reduce waste, the release said.

The student housing facilities include an energy-efficient heating and cooling system, water-bottle-filling stations and low-flow fixtures to reduce water use, and large windows in each unit to achieve the maximum amount of daylight, in addition to numerous other green features. During the first year of occupancy, the university saw significant savings in water and energy usage, the release said.

In 2007, a comprehensive housing plan was prepared as part of the university’s facilities master plan. The university had seven traditional residence halls and one suite-style facility built between 1959 and 1976.

When the three-phase project is completed in summer 2015, total capacity will be 2,975 students, an increase of 260, the university has said. The entire project is expected to cost about $200 million.

SUSSI, an independent nonprofit organization that represents the student community, oversees the project. Contractors include architect CUBE 3 Studio of Lawrence, Mass., general contractor Fortune Johnson Inc. of Norcross, Ga., and consulting engineer Greenman-Pedersen Inc. of Babylon, N.Y.

“This is a tremendous honor for the housing project, for Shippensburg University Student Services Inc., and for the university in general, as well as for all of those who made it happen, including Campus Apartments, CUBE3, Fortune-Johnson and others. We at Ship are very pleased with this recognition,” said Darrell Miller, SUSSI president.

The $46 million first phase, completed in December 2012, included three new housing residences involving two facilities on the north side of campus and one on the south side. The residences accommodate 924 students with semi-suite and full-suite floor plans, multipurpose programming areas, and study and social lounges.

No comments:

Post a Comment