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Can BH Do More to Build a Sustainable Campus? By Nicholas Daley ‘19 Panel Staff
ed advocate for environmental stewardship, Mr. McAlpin was brought into the early planning discussions of the building to speak in broad terms and push for the consideration of sustainable elements. But he understood by the meetings’ end that green architecture would likely just be a minor consideration in the construction of the Center. The school told Mr. McAlpin that “maintaining the architectural integrity of the campus” was important, making solar panels unlikely (despite this concern, however, the final building did include a number of features not seen anywhere else on campus, including black window frames and sections of flat roof and stone siding). But the biggest roadblock was that making the building green simply was not a top priority, especially if sustainable architecture
would mean additional up-front costs. While Belmont Hill may not have incorporated renewable energy in the Melvoin Center, the facilities committee did add a number of efficiency measures to the building. In part to follow state and local building codes, Belmont Hill added an energy-saving chilled beam HVAC system, which, along with an airtight seal and thick insulation, is so effective that the building occasionally has to bring in outside air in the winter, and installed LED lighting and motorized shades to keep the building cool in the warmer months. According to Director of Operations Mr. Bounty and Director of Facilities Mr. Young, the school did investigate the possibility of solar panels but decided the Southwest-facing portion of the roof was too small to make an array
The Melvoin Academic Center, with its imposing physical footprint and floor-to-ceiling windows, makes for an impressive gatekeeper of Belmont Hill’s academic quad. The building’s modern classrooms, vibrant murals, and features like the iLab have become central stops on tours for prospective students. The Belmont Hill community generally looks favorably upon the “new building,” which quickly became one of the most popular spots on campus after its opening in November 2014. But some students note what they see as somewhat frivolous features in the center, from the seldom-used TV table on the second floor and the presence of Smart Boards or Prometheans in almost every classroom to the spacious Third Form study hall. There are rarely complaints, but occasionally some question whether every element of the building represents the most efficient use of resources. But to some who were at Belmont Hill when the Melvoin was first announced, most prominent in the building is what appears to be missing. As early planning of the center took place, a vision of the structure emerged that seems to be different than its eventual reality; according to the June 2013 issue of The Panel, “The Melvoin Academic Center will also be one of, if not the most “green” buildings on campus… solar power is a strong possibility, and an extremely energy efficient heating, cooling, and ventilation (HVAC) system is under consideration as well.” News 4 the Melvoin Center fulfilled its Whether sustainability promise is somewhat complicated. Science faculty member Mr. McAlpin believes that while it is “a great building,” the Melvoin “falls short of what is possible.” As the campus’ most dedicat- A 186 kilowatt solar array was installed on the roof of the Jordan Athletic Center in 2012
Look Inside The Panel
viable. While the Center does not hold a LEED certification (a distinction for efficiency given out by the US Green Building Council), as a result of stringent local codes it is most likely LEED certifiable, say Mr. Bounty and Mr. Young, and formal paperwork is probably the only thing
“As early planning of the center took place, a vision of the structure emerged that seems to be different than its eventual reality; according to the June 2013 issue of The Panel, ‘The Melvoin Academic Center will also be one of, if not the most “green” buildings on campus... solar power is a strong possibility, and an extremely efficient heating, cooling, and ventilation (HVAC) system is under consideration as well’ ” preventing the Melvoin from carrying a LEED plaque. Mr. Bounty and Mr. Young point out that in the Melvoin, as with most of the other projects on campus, the efficient aspects of the building go mostly unnoticed - as Mr. Young puts it, “you don’t see the plumbing.” In addition to the more visible efforts like the solar array on the Jordan Athletic Center, which produces 230,000 kilowatt hours of energy a year, the school has made strides in the dorms, exchanging old boilers for efficient systems, replacing wasteful light bulbs, retrofitting the insulation and windows to better regulate temperature. The upcoming chapel expansion also promises similar initiatives. Each summer, Belmont Hill adds LED lighting, dual-flush toilet Continued on Page 4