oregon means green business

SDA engineers largest BIPV curtainwall in the Northwest

The Lillis Center at the University of Oregon photo by Lundquist College of Business

Location: Eugene, OR USA Client: University of Oregon - Lundquist School of Business Use: University classroom building

Background:
In planning its Lillis complex for the School of Business, the University of Oregon administration was looking for a green, forward-thinking vibe to complement and blend with its existing buildings.

The University retained SRG Partnership, an Oregon architectural firm well known for Green Design. The team set LEED Silver as their goal for the complex and also sought to incorporate solar electricity into the building design.

photo by Lundquist College of BusinessSpecial Features:
SDA collaborated with the design team to define the options that would meet the functional and aesthetic requirements of the project.

• We specified a five-story building-integrated (BIPV) curtain wall for the south façade of the building.
• “Electric glass” was designed with a varying density of solar cells to limit unwanted solar glare and gain in the upper areas, while preserving transparency at the floor level.
• Electric glass was also employed in the skylights to reduce glare while generating electricity.
• To maximize solar harvest, all available roof area is fitted with solar panels.

Outcome:
The University of Oregon solar wall is the largest vertical Building-integrated PV application of electric glass in the US.

The Lillis Center is now the "greenest" business school in the nation, having earned LEED Silver certification. The complex serves as a model for other schools as American business moves toward a more sustainable future.

The building incorporates a myriad of energy-efficient features:

• a unique daylighting system in the atrium and classrooms reduces the electric lighting demand by forty percent
• the building's carefully positioned rooms can be used almost year-round with minimal electric lighting
• external shades and light shelves are used to regulate temperature
• "smart" lighting automatically adjusts to daylight levels
• sensors turn off lights and other non-essential items in unoccupied rooms
• the builders used materials salvaged from the previous building, certified hardwoods and other sustainable resources
• plants on the "eco-roof" filter contaminants from rain run-off.

At SDA, we believe that the power of green building on campus is immeasurable.
A wind turbine, solar canopy, or electric-glass curtainwall affirms to the school community that they are moving in the right direction. Prospective faculty and students, visitors and trustees see that the school's development strategy includes thoughtful consideration for a sustainable future. Increasingly, academic institutions view green building as the norm, for reasons of economics, philosophy and prestige.

We at SDA welcome inquiries for assisting with your energy-conscious design ideas.
Contact us to begin a dialogue on possibilities for your school.

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