Project Overview
Colleges and universities are often challenged by a demand for new student
housing and expanded student facilities while being squeezed for funding. North
Central College met that challenge with a unique two-buildings-in-one solution
that can serve as a prototype for educational institutions across the
country.
The nation’s first LEED-certified (LEED Silver) combination
college dorm and rec facility consists of a 198,000-square-foot
Residential/Recreation Center with a 265-bed rectangular dormitory facility
surrounding an internal activity and track center.
Precast Solution
The surrounding residence hall features precast concrete double walls and conventional sandwich panels, precast columns, beams, stairs, and water retention storage tanks. The building also features energy-efficient windows, radiant heat, high-efficiency air conditioning, heat recovery ventilators, a domestic hot water waste heat recovery system, a white membrane roof to reduce the heat island effect, low-flow plumbing fixtures, and extensive use of recycled and low-VOC-emitting materials. It also features one of the largest geothermal installations in the Midwest with 60 650-ft deep geothermal wells, as well as underground precast double-wall storm water retention tanks. The project also won an Honorable Mention Harry H. Edwards Award for Industry Advancement. |