FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (Sept. 27, 2007) -- Northern Arizona University officially opens the greenest building in the state today, optimistic it will be the first university to score a "trifecta" with the Leadership Energy and Environment Design building rating system from the U.S. Green Building Council.

The university is confident it is on course to receive the LEED "Platinum" rating for its Applied Research and Development building as it awaits a "Gold" rating for The W.A. Franke College of Business building and a "Silver" for the Engineering building.

"Stewardship of place is not a new concept for Northern Arizona University," said NAU President John D. Haeger. "Our Applied Research and Development building showcases our climate mitigation commitment and innovations in high-performance construction technology."

Haeger said all future buildings on the NAU campus will seek a "Platinum" rating despite the challenges of building green at 7,000 feet, including the need for construction supplies that can accommodate northern Arizona's "freeze and thaw" temperature variations and the intense ultraviolet light that can quickly damage materials.

"The ARD building uses the natural environment to operate rather than carbonproducing energy sources like natural gas or coal-fire plants," said Rich Bowen, associate vice president for economic development for NAU. "Building green is good public policy, and high-performance environmentally responsible buildings have a greater return on investment than traditional buildings."

Mark Wilhelm, founding member of the U.S. Green Building Council's Arizona Chapter and green building expert, said NAU is a good example of a university "going green."

"What sets NAU apart is that it is not just committed to building green, climate mitigation efforts and research are an important part of its curriculum too," Wilhelm said. "NAU is walking the walk in terms of being environmentally focused."

Energy sources for the 59,821-square-foot ARD building on the university's central campus include a photovoltaic solar power system donated by Arizona Public Service that provides at least 20 percent of its electricity. Automatic shade controls and a "heat exchanger" regulate the building's temperature.

"The concrete used in the building includes a mixture of 40 percent fly ash waste from coal burning, minimizing the high-carbon release in manufacturing cement," Bowen said. "Plus, the ARD parking lot is the first installation in the state to use pervious concrete, allowing water to be captured in natural aquifers to be used for irrigation purposes."

Bowen said 90 percent of waste materials generated from the building's construction made its way to recycling rather than landfills.

About 30 percent of the building's supplies are from recycled materials, including thousands of pairs of denim jeans used for insulation. And 57 percent of the materials are from local producers or manufacturers. Wood used in the building was certified to be harvested from a renewable forest-management system.

The building's design includes no volatile compounds in its paint or carpet. To help insulate the buildings temperatures, a "green roof" on the building's conference unit will serve as a place to grow and maintain an indigenous vegetation cover requiring minimal irrigation.

Reclaimed water replaces potable water for landscaping use and flushing toilets, and water-efficient features such as low-pressure faucets and toilets reduce total water needs by 60 percent.

Compared to traditional buildings, ARD's environmental features reduce its total energy consumption by 60 percent.

The building also is designed to contribute to regional and global stewardship through educational programs, innovative research and collaborative relationships.

Natural light abounds through the open design that includes an atrium area supporting collaboration among its occupants that include environmentally based organizations such as the U.S. Forest Service and NAU's Center for Sustainable Environments.

The top floor of the three-story building is home to NAU's Center for Microbial Genetics and Genomics, a research facility focused on understanding the evolution, ecology and epidemiology of a number of disease-causing bacteria.

Designed by Burns, Wald-Hopkins Architects, the ARD building cost $25 million to build, however, "The price tag is only about 10 percent higher than non-environmentally friendly buildings, and the energy-saving features will make up the cost difference in the long run," Bowen said.

The building was awarded the 2007 Excellence in Structural Engineering Award from the Structural Engineers Association of Arizona.

-NAU-

CONTACT:
Tom Bauer
NAU Office of Public Affairs
(928) 523-6126
Thomas.Bauer@nau.edu