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WILLIAM PATERSON UNIVERSITY, VETERANS CENTER WILLIAM PATERSON UNIVERSITY, VETERANS CENTER

WILLIAM PATERSON UNIVERSITY, VETERANS CENTER

WILLIAM PATERSON UNIVERSITY, WAYNE HALL VETERANS CENTER

WAYNE, NEW JERSEY

 

The renovation of the Veterans Center underway at William Paterson University in Wayne NJ is a case study in how to incorporate passive strategies, mechanical systems and finish and furniture selection into a progressive design solution, to address sustainability concerns.

The program includes 1100 square feet within an existing building, which must house an office, lounge area, entry vestibule and call center. PJA is completely renovating the space, including mechanical and electrical systems.

Passive sustainable strategies include natural day lighting and ventilation. Comprised of operable windows, the south wall will allow users to regulate passive cooling on temperate days.  The introduction of outside air also creates a healthier environment by replacing stale air with fresh, allowing for additional air exchange during the day.

Careful selection of lighting fixtures and energy management controls will streamline the mechanical and electrical systems in the WPU Veterans Center. Light fixtures with both up-light and down-light components provide less eye strain for the user. In addition to being fluorescent, reducing the cooling load, the fixtures will be carefully zoned based on the user groups’ needs, so only needed fixtures are operated at any given time.

Energy management controls such as programmable thermostats will be installed to regulate energy requirements during the day. An energy efficient HVAC unit was installed directly in the space in lieu of taking air from an older, less efficient unit placed far enough away to require reheating and cooling.

Material selection is, of course, vital to the sustainability of any project. Finishes that utilize recycled content, have low VOC off-gasing properties, carry a third party certification relevant to the product category and are locally sourced are the ideal.

At the WPU Veterans Center, PJA selected finishes which contribute sustainable attributes to the project, including: carpet that carries the CRI Green Label Plus certification, and is made in part of recycled content; rubber flooring made largely of recycled content; low VOC paint to be applied to walls and ceiling; and Kirei board, fabricated from sunflower seeds will be used at the exterior walls of the office creating a central focal element in the space.