A GREEN SCIENCE FACILITY
Witherspoon Hall
The Planning Committee for the Hamill Science Center worked closely with the architect, John Cort to create a facility that was as green as possible. These features increased the initial cost of the building but should lead to significant savings over the life of the building.
The Witherspoon Laboratory is partially heated by a passive solar system. The windows on the south wall of the building transfer solar energy to a perimeter corridor in the winter and are in the shade in the summer. In the winter the excess energy in the corridor is stored in masonry and floor tile and transferred to the labs by air handling units as required. The system is controlled by a computer that minimizes the use of heat in the evening when the building is not occupied.
The lights are energy efficient, and the intensity of light can be varied depending on the needs of the moment. Some lights in the hallway are controlled by a light meter and can not be turned on if the light intensity from the sun is sufficient.
The decision to renovate rather than to replace Morse Hall led to decreased use of natural resources. The building was essentially recycled. The building has been retrofitted with an energy efficient heating and cooling system, energy efficient windows and improved insulation.
The road between Hamill Science Center and Spidel was moved in order to minimize encroachment upon the Garden. In many construction projects productive farmland is lost to new construction. No farmland was destroyed in this project.
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