Scripps Seaside Forum Green Facts
LEED Certified
The Scripps Seaside Forum was awarded LEED Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council in August 2009. Rating includes site sustainability, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, indoor environmental quality, and innovation and design process.
Demolition
University officials estimate that approximately 90% of demolished buildings were recycled. 40-60% of construction debris was sorted and recycled by Edco.
Grading
Most of the soil used for grading came from the site, thus significantly reducing the soil export, which saved hundreds of gallons of fuel and the resultant air pollution.
Utilities
- HVAC - The Scripps Seaside Forum is using hot and chilled water from existing sources, therefore significantly reducing energy consumption (this alone saved about 60% compared with installing a stand-alone system).
- Reduced the Space with AC - The Scripps Seaside Forum has air conditioning only in the Auditorium and extra large meeting room. Three smaller meeting rooms and Surfside, the student lounge, use all-natural air circulation for cooling. The overall configuration of the buildings was designed to reduce the amount of heat and cooling required. There is a considerable west overhang on the buildings to reduce the heat gain. The meeting rooms and Surfside were designed so that they would not be a separate building that would require HVAC. Specifics include each meeting room being "stand alone" and high windows, capable of being opened, for air exchange. The east trellis walkway was created to avoid creating an interior hallway that would require HVAC. The HVAC system will be on only when the buildings are occupied.
Glass
Low "e" glass is used throughout, which reduces the heat gain within the buildings, thus reducing the need for mechanical cooling.
Insulation
The building insulation was upgraded and reduces energy consumption.
Lighting
All are low energy need florescent fixtures = reduced electrical power need. Window placement provides natural light to reduce energy consumption, both from reducing the amount of electric light needed and lowering the amount of cooling needed to cool the building from heat generated from the lighting.
Interior Finishes
- Carpet - recycled materials
- Wall materials - portion from recycled materials, Low VOC paints
- Teak - all plantation grown
Landscape
Only low-water need plants are used, California natives and other drought tolerant plants - this allows for a 40" to 50" per year reduction in water needed by the landscape.
Hard Surfaces
Hard surfaces around the buildings were minimized, so that less runoff is produced. Also, the landscape was designed so that storm water from this area is able to sink into the soil rather than flowing off the site and over the adjacent bluffs.