Some of the Design Elements That Will Make Our Building Green

Site Sustainability - measures taken to minimize the building's impact on the surrounding environment.

  • A light, reflective roof reduces the "heat island" effect of the building on the site.
  • A specially integrated "retention basin" captures rainfall to irrigate the historic Shakespeare Garden and return excess run-off directly to ground water rather than the city sewer system.
  • Exterior lighting illuminates the ground and not the surrounding sky, reducing urban "light pollution" near Northwestern's historic Dearborn Observatory.
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Water Efficiency - measures taken to reduce the use of water.

  • Highly efficient internal plumbing fixtures and landscape irrigation reduces water use.
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Energy and Atmosphere Quality - measures to lower energy loss and improve air quality.

  • The FMCEDC construction process employs a rigorous quality control to ensure that the insulation, heating, air conditioning and filtration systems are constructed and operate at the highest possible standards.
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Materials and Resources - measures to maximize use of recyclable or renewable materials and minimize waste.

  • The building design provides for the effective collection, storage and management of recyclable materials.
  • Wherever possible, the construction of the building employed materials with recyclable content – such as steel, glass, concrete with recycled "fly-ash" content, carpeting and ceiling tile materials.
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Indoor Environmental Quality - measures to enhance the quality and safety of the interior environment of the building.

  • The building design provides natural daylight to over 75% of the building's interior spaces — a remarkable achievement considering that two of the six building floors are below grade.
  • An innovative raised floor system provides more precise temperature control at the individual occupant level, resulting in more efficient heating and cooling of interior spaces.
  • Composite woods, furniture, carpeting and other interior finishing materials use low volatile organic compound paints and glues.
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Innovation in Design - measures to incorporate new or innovative systems or approaches to environment sustainability.

  • The building employs an automated solar tracking system that closes window shades in the face of direct sunlight and opens shades in areas away from the sun.
  • The building provides a unique, visible display so students can easily monitor building environmental conditions.
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