KJWW provided campus master planning for the 20-acre corn field which was to become the home of the Vandalia Education Center. Kaskaskia College wanted to set a precedent for building green. The education center was designed with an emphasis on using resources, materials and energy efficiently for the new classroom and laboratory building. The initial building on the new campus supports existing higher education requirements in the vicinity and provides additional course offerings. All systems were designed to accommodate future expansions.
Assisting with achieving LEED certification, KJWW Engineering designed the geothermal ground-source heat pump system, the heat recovery system, occupancy sensor and daylighting lighting control systems, indoor air quality monitoring and water use reduction systems. As a result of these energy saving designs, the college anticipates a 33% savings annually in energy costs.
The main level includes computer labs, anatomy/biology lab, healthcare/CNA lab, clean coal/art lab, chemistry lab, distance learning classroom, retail book space, private offices and work space. The lower level contains a student break/study area with vending machines and computer carrels, an additional computer lab and a mechanical/electrical room. Classroom space was designed with the flexibility to accommodate community functions.
Challenges and Solutions |
The decision to pursue LEED certification was made late in the process. This required redesigning some of the systems which affected the budget. The Owner, being committed to achieving their goal, allotted the required funding to complete the project.
The geothermal loop was sized for 85 tons with another 45 tons planned for a future addition. The system is composed of 64 vertical bores that are 290 feet deep with plans to add an additional 32 bores for a future addition. The system exchange process proivdes significant energy savings over a conventional heating and cooling system.
The ventilation system includes an energy recovery wheel that captures heat from other systems and is used to precondition fresh air entering the building for indoor air quality, thus reducing energy consumption.
The conference rooms in the building include polycom distance learning technology to allow programs to be broadcast to other campuses.
The primary electrical service, owned by the college, is designed to serve this building, as well as future campus buildings, that will provide a cheaper utility rate via a future campus loop distribution system.