News from Neumann/Smith Architecture

Michigan Tech Residence Hall Achieves LEED Gold

LEED Gold White

Hillside Place residence hall at Michigan Technological University is one of the first Gold Certified student residences in Michigan, joining the ranks of just twenty-nine LEED certified (to various levels) student housing facilities across the country.

Hillside Place offers a new type of campus housing combining the social benefits of dormitory style housing with an independent apartment lifestyle. The hybrid building fits into the University's modern architectural style, but also evokes a unique "north woods lodge" aesthetic with forms, details, materials and finishes not typically used in student housing.

One of Only 29 Certified Residence Halls in the Country

Sustainable Design

One of the most creative sustainable design features is the reuse of three very large White Oak trees that had to be removed from the only feasible location for the building. The trees were carefully removed and cut into nine foot lengths, stripped of their bark and quartered into four sections. These wood quarters were later spliced together to wrap the exposed steel columns in the lodge. The reuse of this on-site natural resource contributes to the Materials and Resources Credits in an artful way befitting the University's extensive programs in the science of forest management.

Different MEP systems were modeled utilizing Trane Trace. The final mechanical system includes two dedicated outside air units with plate and frame energy recovery devices to provide ventilation air to all occupants. A microprocessor-based direct digital control system monitors, controls and optimizes the operation of the HVAC system.

Each dwelling unit and gathering space is heated by a low temperature in-floor radiant heating system that maximizes comfort while minimizing piping transmission losses.

High efficiency lighting and room occupancy sensors are provided to minimize electrical usage. Meters are provided to measure total energy usage to allow for future optimization and diagnostic analysis.

All of our projects incorporate sustainable strategies that conserve resources, reduce energy and operating costs, enhance aesthetic goals, and promote health and productivity. Over 60% of Neumann/Smith's architects and interior designers are LEED Accredited Professionals and we've designed nearly two million square feet of LEED Certified and LEED Registered projects.

For more information contact Gene Carroll, AIA, LEED AP at 248-352-8310

or visit Neumann/Smith's website

The LEED green building certification program is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of green buildings. The LEED Certification Mark is a registered trademark owned by the U.S. Green Building Council and is used with permission.