Post on 16-Jul-2020
A Golden Opportunity for PlatinumThe Human Health Building at Oakland University
SmithGroupJJR Team
Michael Weingartz, PE, IAEI, IES, LEED AP BD+CVice President | Chief Electrical Engineer
Sarah Wickenheiser, PE, LEED AP BD+CAssociate
Project GoalsCreate a new home for Human Health Education at Oakland University:
• Integrate the Schools of Nursing and Health Sciences into a unified, multi-
disciplinary facility
• Take advantage of the natural features of the site by creating amenities for the
faculty and students
• Create spaces that encourage collaboration and interaction
• Incorporate environmentally sustainable design practices and energy efficient
building systems
Project Overview • 160,000 Gross Square Feet:
• Classrooms
• Instructional Labs for Nursing/Health Sciences
• Offices
• Collaborative Space
• $61M Original Budget
• $64M Final Budget (with DOE Grant)
• Summer 2012 Completion
Site/Placement• Building placement
– East west orientation
– Built into side of hill
– Reconstructed wetland
• Removal of invasive reed
species - phragmites
• New pedestrian bridge
• Exterior gathering spaces
on south
High Performance Fenestration• Exterior Walls
– Terracotta rainscreen
• CMU back up
• Vapor Barrier
• 3” spray applied foam
insulation
• Large format, shingle
profile terracotta panels
Use the Sun as a Partner• Large overhang to shade south glass
curtain wall
• Shading devices to shade south window
• Clerestory
– Lets sliver of direct light deep into atrium
• Roof
– Shade with devices that can use the sun’s
power
$2.4M DOE Grant Allowed Funding of Additional Features • Solar thermal collectors
coupled with desiccant
dehumidification
• Enlarged geothermal well
field
• Cistern for rainwater
collection and irrigation
• Sub-meters for monitoring
of energy performance
256 wells
320’ deep
$2.4M DOE Grant Allowed Funding of Additional Features • Paver system installed over
inverted roof to facilitate
easy maintenance of
systems and for tours
• Educational displays within
the building
• Electric vehicle charging
stations
Solar Thermal Panels
Photovoltaic Panels
117 Vacuum Tube solar panels
3600 Sq. Ft of PV
$2.4M DOE Grant Allowed Funding of Additional Features • Photovoltaic Panels
mounted on upper roof
– 50 KW Array
– (204) 245 watt Suniva
panels
– (3) SMA inverters
– Owner wanted the panels
concealed from view
LEED Credits
Original, 38
Gold, 45
Platinum, 54
1
11
21
31
41
51
61
ACHIEVED POINTS
POSSIBLE
POINTS
Summary• Department of Energy Grant enabled LEED Platinum to become the
target
• Grant process started with a “passionate advocate” and dedicated commitment on the part of Oakland University
• Grant submittal process was collaborative effort
• Because of uncertainty about grant award, the design process required flexibility