Engineering Sustainability

The Kennedy Hall of Engineering is designed to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards, meaning the building is designed for high-performance and sustainability by maintaining standards for water and energy conservation, material selection, and indoor environmental quality. Kennedy Hall is the third completed LEED facility on Grand Valley’s campuses.

A vegetative green roof of 15,000-square-feet of plantings sits atop the building to help limit energy consumption and water runoff. “The hearty plants on the roof add another layer of insulation,” said project manager Bob Brown. “Less energy will be needed to heat in the winter and cool in the summer. Also, rainfall will be absorbed, minimizing water runoff into the city’s storm water system.”

A rain garden, using native plantings, was also constructed near the parking lot to help alleviate storm water runoff.

Another energy-saving and cost-saving feature is the use of an ice bank for air conditioning. “Ice is used to cool the air that runs through the building at peak loading during the day,” Brown explained. “At night, when there’s less load on the system, it rebuilds itself.”

The design concept of “daylighting” in many classrooms and offices means minimal use of lights. The rooms also contain occupancy sensors so lights will automatically turn off when everyone leaves.

Brown said an important goal during the construction process was recycling. He said of the construction materials used, such as metals, concrete, drywall and wood, more than 97 percent of construction waste generated was recycled.