Ecological Design: Creating the Green Mountain Center for Sustainable Living

1. Ecological Design: Creating the Green Mountain Center for Sustainable Living Deirdre Huzzard, Environmental Studies with a Concentration in Science Beth A. Sanderson, Sustainable Community Development Heather Polhemus, Environmental Economics with a Concentration in Global Sustainability

2. Statement of Project and Goals • To create a conceptual design of a center for sustainable living to promote environmental ideals within a community of students • To showcase methods with which groups of individuals can reduce their impact on the environment • To utilize ecological design principles such as renewable energy technologies, alternative building techniques, responsible waste management and meeting green building standards

3. Ecological Design is… • A methodology that reorients human activity in a way that is compatible with natural processes • An alternative to conventional design that considers conservation, regeneration and stewardship • A holistic approach to design that promotes healthy ecosystems and human communities

4. “The problems that we have created cannot be solved at the level of thinking that created them.” -Albert Einstein

5. Our Design • Renovation of South Hall • Emphasis on reusing and recycling materials • Remove unsuitable materials and replace with natural alternatives • Replace windows with double paned, gas filled, high glazed, low emissivity models • Super-insulate walls and attic

6. Our Design Continued • Increase passive solar qualities of the building and add thermal mass on south side • Possibly remove non load-bearing walls to change floor plan • Create communal cooking facility, dining area and food storage area • Design living quarters for 20-25 students • Build an addition onto the southeast side of house potentially utilizing alternative building techniques, such as straw bale or cob. The addition would include a small greenhouse, sun room, and gathering area/library

7. Energy Components • Grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) fixed axis rooftop panels and a ground-mounted tracking array • Compact fluorescent lighting • Solar hot water heater • Heat exchange ventilation system for optimum air quality • Radiant floor heat • Geothermal heat pump • Masonry stove for radiant heating and bread baking • Experimental renewable energy projects

8. Water Systems and Nutrient Cycling • Greywater recycling system • Composting toilets • Low-flow showerheads and sink faucets • Rainwater catchment system • Possible Living Machine • Outdoor composting bins for kitchen waste • Vermicomposting project

9. Gardens/Greenhouse • Landscaping with native plants • Medicinal herb garden for educational and practical purposes • Outdoor cold frames for season extension • Sun room and greenhouse for passive solar gain and food production • Construction of straw bale maintenance shed with living roof for garden tools

10. Student Survey Results Question #1 Do you feel that a sustainable living center is appropriate to the mission of the college? Question #2 Do you feel that a sustainable living center would be a positive asset to G.M.C?

11. Next Steps and Challenges • Campus wide support • Funding • Incorporating our vision into the master plan • Implementing our ideas into an architectural rendering of the project • Continuous communication between student representatives, architects, administration and faculty • Dedication to this project in the upcoming semesters • Establishing a realistic time frame for the project’s completion