Sustainable Evans Hall

The school is pursuing LEED Gold certification under the LEED for Schools 2009 standard, which acknowledges sustainable design and construction, said Brendan Edgerton SOM/FES ’15, a member of the Sustainability Leadership Team. Yale SOM created this team, which includes students and staff members, to oversee the school’s ongoing sustainability efforts. As part of this effort, the Sustainability Leadership Team will be tracking the building’s water and energy usage, allowing the school to publish its  greenhouse gas emissions.

“I’m hearing a lot of excitement about the building,” Edgerton said.  “Students are asking questions and seem very aware and interested. It’s encouraging.”

Some of Evans Hall’s sustainability features include:

• A 25,000-gallon rainwater collection tank and an advanced low-flow irrigation system that includes moisture and rain sensors, intended to cut outdoor water use by 50 percent
• Chilled beams and radiant floor systems that use radiative and convective air flows respectively to heat and cool spaces. HVAC fans and water pumps are equipped with variable frequency drives that allow motor speeds to be lowered when less flow is needed
• High-performance windows, interior and exterior solar shading, a reflective white roof, additional wall and roof insulation, LED lighting, daylight-controlled lighting, light-dimming controls, and garage ventilation controlled by CO sensors, which together are expected to reduce annual energy consumption by at least 12%
• Student access to covered parking for 104 bicycles in the underground garage and four shower/changing rooms adjacent to the locker room.
• High-efficiency plumbing fixtures, such as dual-flush water closets, pint flush urinals, and low-flow lavatory faucets and showerheads, that contribute to an expected indoor water consumption reduction of more than 20%
• Use of significant recycled content in reinforcing steel, metal acoustic ceilings, and structural steel. Much of the building’s wood was harvested, processed, and manufactured using sustainable forestry practices.