Project Overview
The three-story, 63,000-square-foot Social Sciences Building at the University of North Florida (UNF) was constructed using an insulated precast concrete wall system. As the first LEED-registered building in Jacksonville and on the UNF campus, sustainability was a driving force in its design. The structure was engineered for a 100-year service life, with architectural precast concrete chosen for its durability and minimal maintenance requirements.
Originally planned as a hand-set brick and steel structure, an extensive design study led the team to transition to insulated precast concrete. The primary concern was preventing moisture penetration, as existing buildings on campus had experienced mold and mildew issues. The precast concrete solution provided a built-in vapor barrier, mitigating these risks while maintaining an elegant aesthetic.
To replicate the look of traditional masonry, the façade was crafted using intricate form liners, thin brick, and lightly sandblasted concrete. These elements added visual interest while offering the resilience and efficiency of precast concrete.
A green-building design charrette was held early in the process, bringing together the entire design and construction team to establish sustainability goals and pursue specific LEED credits. Precast concrete met these challenges, contributing to multiple sustainability objectives.
A high percentage of white cement was incorporated into the architectural precast concrete mix to enhance the building’s albedo, with 47.39% of the total surface area achieving a high reflectivity rating. This reduces heat absorption, making the building more energy-efficient in Jacksonville’s warm climate.
To further reduce the carbon footprint, the design utilized thin brick instead of traditional full-depth brick, significantly reducing raw material use and transportation emissions. A newly developed form liner grid system was implemented to hold the thin brick in place during casting. These form liner sheets were made from 100% post-industrial recycled plastic, aligning with the project’s sustainability goals.
The insulated precast wall system eliminated thermal breaks, increasing the R-value from R-10 (the code requirement) to R-24. This resulted in significant reductions in heating and cooling loads, maintaining a constant indoor temperature and improving occupant comfort.
Beyond its aesthetic and sustainability advantages, the prefabricated wall system offered several key benefits, such as lower embodied energy due to the integration of thin brick into architectural precast panels; built-in vapor barrier within the 2-inch Styrofoam XPS insulation core; superior thermal performance exceeding ASHRAE 90.1 criteria, leading to 34% reductions in heating and cooling costs; minimal site disturbance due to fewer construction trades being required for insulation, brickwork, and cast stone installation; and long-term durability, ensuring lower maintenance and operational costs over time. These efficiency measures collectively reduced energy consumption by 20% and saved the university nearly $30,000 annually in energy costs.
The Social Sciences Building set a new standard for sustainable construction at UNF. The project’s success led to its adoption as a model for future LEED-certified buildings on campus. By integrating innovative precast concrete technologies, this project exemplifies how prefabricated solutions can deliver architectural beauty, environmental responsibility, and long-term durability. With its high-performance wall system, energy savings, and minimal environmental impact, the UNF Social Sciences Building remains a landmark of sustainable academic design, influencing future campus development for decades to come. |