The Sixth Street Residence Halls project was the first residential project to pursue a LEED Gold certification at the University of Arizona. Midway through design the team recognized that the goal was being exceeded, and the project is currently under review by GBCI for a LEED Platinum rating. Comprised of campus residence halls on two non-adjacent sites, the project aims to embody environmental sustainability, engage the student community and respect the surrounding context. Located within the southern portion of the University of Arizona campus, the residence halls engage the amenities that currently exist on campus, e.g.; the Campus Health Center, the Highland Quad open space, the Student Recreation Center, the university libraries and the campus steam power system. The regional context for these student housing projects is the American Southwest as well as the Sonoran Desert context, a climate which is understudied in contemporary architectural precedent. Therefore the project affords the occasion to advance the current body of high-performance architectural and environmental response in the American Southwest desert. Programmatically the SSRH buildings are mixed-use campus residential. In addition to a large student housing component the project includes office suites, a conferencing center, living-learning classrooms, multiple study and gathering areas and extensive student amenities and courtyards.SiteLarge community gathering areas are organized around enclosed, shaded courtyards. These outdoor living areas are planted with native vegetation and rescued cacti and include an extensive system of water catchment, harvesting and storage measures. Residents riding home on bikes have plenty of secure bike storage space on site, as well as covered bike parking rooms at building entries. Additionally, each site is in convenient range of the campus and municipal bus systems. Bus stops are located on – site. The Highland site has redesigned the intersection of 6th Street and Highland to allow a large bus pull in, that will protect riders entering and exiting the busses. The Tyndall site has included a covered and protected bus shelter further linking the campus with the City of Tucson.Solar OrientationThe buildings are oriented so that the majority of the student rooms face either directly to the North of to the South and control heat gain while maintaining the ability to effectively daylight interior spaces. A system of exterior sunshades and vertical sunscreens made of perforated metal protect interior spaces form heat and glare while allowing diffuse daylight to filter in through low-e glazing, minimizing the need for electric lighting during the day. In addition to passive daylighting strategies the electrical design employs an overall lighting power density that is 45% more efficient than a similar building designed to a code minimum, as well as an electrical power density that is 10% more efficient than a similar building designed to a building code minimum. PedagogyVisual indicators of sustainability play a part in making the building complex a pedagogical project which aims to educate students about conserving energy, using natural resources wisely, and living in unison with the surrounding environment. Metal screen walls covered in growing vines define outdoor rooms and create softer natural edges to the courtyard environment. An internet based ‘Building Dashboard’ system will monitor energy and resource use throughout the buildings so that students can gain a greater understanding of their energy needs and consumption. Interior EnvironmentThe student rooms are designed to be environments that can flexibly accommodate residents’ needs. Students can make their spaces more comfortable (within reasonable set points) by adjusting the thermometer controls that are accessible when they log into the residence hall website. Additionally, students can let fresh air into their rooms via the large operable windows. Student rooms are arranged in small, cohesive communities that are intended to be socially sustainable and transform to accommodate the needs of future student groups. To conserve energy, bathrooms and public areas such as meeting rooms and great rooms are equipped with occupancy sensors which turn off lights, unnecessary electrical appliance and air conditioning when unoccupied. Interior finishes and materials with minimal VOC content along with an increased amount of fresh air help to maintain a healthy interior environment.EnergyDue to the nature of student residence halls, heating water is one of the largest uses of energy in these buildings. The desert condition is well suited to the use of solar thermal systems. The campus steam system partially heats the demand hot water used on site, then the temperature of the domestic hot water at SSRH is heated to the max temperature by a solar hot water system of panels located on the roof. Dual flush toilets and low flow sinks are installed throughout to minimize the amount of potable water used. Whenever possible, the project HVAC system has passively utilized the natural thermodynamic flow of return air. The system is designed as an open plenum, minimizing the need for return air ducting and additional ceiling grilles and registers. The mechanical system also includes sensible heat recovery and indirect evaporative cooling, supplemented by the campus chilled water system. Overall the project mechanical system is 45% more efficient that a similar project built to a code minimum building.OutcomeThe key sustainability measures mentioned above are a sampling of the items that collectively create a sustainable environment for young adults. The project owner and architect initially set forth the goal of a LEED Silver rating in the contract for design services, and assembled a team of experts to work toward achieving and eventually bettering that goal to realize a Platinum pursuit. With sustainability as a key project driver, the complex design has modeled with 37% optimized energy efficiency. The project is not simply energy efficient, but a cohesive and comfortable home for the University of Arizona students for the next 50 years and beyond.
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