college gives students a model of sustainable living and learning

a university commits to renewables with a green residence hall

Sophia Gordon Hall at Tufts

Location: Medford, MA USA Client: Tufts University Use: University residence hall and education center

Sophia Gordon Hall, an energy-efficient showplace at Tufts UniversityBackground:
Tufts University, working with a $500,000 grant from the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust , wanted to integrate photovoltaics and high-efficiency features into the design and construction of a new student residence facility, Sophia Gordon Hall.

This new building represents an important milestone in Tufts' commitment to reduce greenhouse gasses produced from university activities. The project provides high visibility for renewables and energy technologies in a location that is home to about 150 students, a connecting walkway for many of the Tufts 4800 undergraduates, 1500 graduate students, and 2100 faculty and staff, and that is situated on a main road with high public visibility.

Solar Design Associates was engaged to engineer both solar systems, and to design and maintain a Data Acquistion System for real-time monitoring of the solar thermal and solar electric systems' operation.

Information Wall at Tufts' Sophia Gordon Residence Hall
sda photo

Special Features:

• Solar thermal and photovoltaic rooftop arrays provide hot water and generate electricity to minimize energy loads.
• The 62,000-square-foot residence hall is expected to use 30 percent less energy and 30 percent less water than would a conventionally designed building.
• Sophia Gordon Hall achieved LEED Silver certificaction from the U.S. Green Building Council.

Outcome:
Sophia Gordon Hall has become an important part of a larger initiative to educate Tufts students about energy, energy technologies, and climate change. The integration of photovoltaics and solar hot water will be a demonstration of 'living and learning' in this facility.

Students in departments such as engineering, environmental policy, environmental studies, economics and international policy will have the opportunity to study the building in their courses. More than 250 students have already worked with the Tufts Climate Initiative on similar campus-based projects, and this project will add an important dimension to that effort.

SDA has helped dozens of schools and colleges field renewable energy applications on the campuses - including the first zero-energy academic facility and the first wind-powered campus. We'd be pleased to help you green your campus.

Contact SDA to discuss the integration of renewable-energy systems into the next project on your campus.

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