The old pool section of Hinkle Fieldhouse, which has been converted into a weight room, training center, and administration offices, has received LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.
The removal of the pool was part of the $34 million renovation of Hinkle Fieldhouse, which took place in 2013-2014. This is Butler’s third LEED Gold project, following the addition to the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Building and the construction of the Howard L. Schrott Center for the Arts.
“Receiving a LEED Gold certification for the renovation of this historic and iconic building illustrates Butler’s commitment to be a leader for sustainability in Indianapolis,” said McKenzie Beverage, Butler’s Sustainability Coordinator. “Projects like this are helping Butler makes strides toward its commitment to become carbon neutral by 2050.”
LEED certification was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council to provide building owners and operators with a concise framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations, and maintenance solutions.
Among the measures taken to reach gold certification were:
-Adding a new roof with a white cap sheet that reflects, rather than absorbs, sunlight, reducing the urban heat island effect.
-Including bicycle storage and changing rooms, which encourage alternative transportation to Butler University by means other than automobile. It is estimated that at peak times, the project can host up to 162 individuals. To accommodate this number of people, racks that can hold 24 bicycles are located outside the main entry. Inside the building, showers and changing facilities for men and women are accessible to the student and faculty population who have access to the project area.
-Water-efficiency efforts, including low-flow fixtures.
-Heating and cooling efficiencies. The building uses variable volume air systems, which slow the airflow down if the space temperature is satisfied. This saves a significant amount of fan energy throughout the course of a year. The heating and cooling is provided by hot and chilled water piping loops. The heating loop uses low temperature water, which allows a Dedicated Heat Recovery Chiller (DHRC) to be used. This device, a significant energy saver, lowers the temperature of chilled water while simultaneously increasing the temperature of the hot water.
-Signing a two-year contract to purchase at least 35 percent of the building’s electricity from renewable sources.
-Reducing the amount of waste that has to be landfilled by collecting paper, corrugated cardboard, glass, plastics, and metals for recycling.
-Diverting 97 percent of the construction waste from the project from the landfill.
-Using recycled content in the construction. Nearly 35 percent of the building products are recycled content.
-Purchasing building materials locally, which cut down on energy usage and pollution associated with transportation. Nearly 77 percent of the building products were manufactured regionally.
-Providing additional air ventilation to improve indoor air quality for improved occupant comfort, well-being and productivity.
-Controlling and limiting the sources of chemicals and pollutants being released into the general atmosphere, which was accomplished by: putting down walk-off carpet for the length of at least 10 feet at each entryway to remove soil and other particulates from the soles of shoes; sending exhaust from all rooms that can potentially produce hazardous or irritating air directly to the outside; and equipping all air-handling units with highly efficient filters.
Media contact:
Marc Allan
mallan@butler.edu
317-940-9822