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