Release date: Oct. 7, 2002
Contact: Nancy Seideman, Director, University Media Relations,
at 404-727-0640 or nseidem@emory.edu

Emory University Mathematics and Science Center"Green" Facts

• A closed-loop cooling system that recycles water to cool down instruments in the physics department machine shop will reduce building water use by 2.8 million gallons a year, a 69 percent reduction for the building, resulting in $8,800 annual savings.

• A storm water retention vault catches all of the building’s water runoff, which is then used for irrigation. No potable water will be used to irrigate the property.

• Hardscape and landscape plans were designed to minimize urban heat dome effect.

• Native plants were used for landscaping, resulting in minimal maintenance and less water use.

• About 20 percent of the materials used in the building came from local manufacturers.

• Motion-sensors in nearly every room automatically reduce air-conditioning and lighting output when a room is unoccupied. Numerous windows allow natural light to be used throughout the building.

• A fifth-floor, outdoor rooftop classroom features a solar-powered meteorological station that will allow students and faculty to monitor weather patterns on campus and the urban heat dome effect of the building.

• The environmental studies department will monitor and compare the environmental and maintenance costs of several different kinds of flooring that were used in the department’s area. The materials include hardwood floors, carpet, vinyl floor tile and marmoleum, a rapidly renewable product composed of sawdust, linseed oil and flour that is similar to linoleum in appearance and wear.

• All of the benches in the second-floor lobby are upholstered with seatbelt scraps leftover during the manufacturing process.

• Unlike the rest of the building, the environmental studies department has operable windows that can be opened and closed, allowing more personal control over indoor temperatures. The department will monitor the energy use implications of the windows over time.

• The building’s hallway flooring consists of more than 50 percent post-industrial waste.

• The three custom carpets designed for the building contain an average of 54 – 59 percent recycled content.

• The ceramic tile used in the building contains 55 to 75 percent post-industrial and post-consumer glass from such products as car windshields and bottles.

• Two fabrics used in acoustical panels and wall coverings contain 100 percent and 78 percent post-industrial recycled polyester.

• All janitor closets and copy rooms are separated from building occupants by thick wall partitions and are separately ventilated, preventing indoor air quality problems from chemicals and fumes.

• The building has seven showers for bicycling commuters, recycling stations on each floor and waterless urinals in some of the men’s bathrooms.

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