ROHNERT PARK - When the SSU Geography Department's weather station computer predicts rain, the Environmental Technology Center's windows will automatically be instructed to close; on warm days, they will be told to open to capture natural breezes for ventilation. Infrared motion sensors will turn lights off as rooms are vacated. Laser cut Fresnel lenses will spread daylight uniformly throughout the building. The electricity to light and power the building will be supplied by a solar system (photovoltaic) which actually runs the electric meter backwards when it generates more electricity than the building is using. Recycled plastic lumber will be used in parts of the building, an internal earthen wall will provide thermal storage to help regulate temperature, and rice hull ash will reduce the amount of energy-intensive portland cement used in the building's foundation. Several computer models have shown the Environmental Technology Center will use only 20% of what a conventional newly constructed university building uses. The entire building will be connected to the Internet, allowing anyone, anywhere to view the building's performance on their computer.
"The building is like a laboratory, but instead of holding the laboratory, it is the laboratory," said Jean Falbo, environmental studies professor. "It's a very different approach which we feel can serve as a model for other university buildings in the future."
"This is a building that teaches" noted Rocky Rohwedder, fellow environmental studies professor. "By blending the latest in high technology with a healthy respect for nature, we have created a facility that teaches us we can build functional and comfortable spaces that have far less impact on the environment."
On Friday, April 24, Sonoma State University holds a groundbreaking ceremony for its Environmental Technology Center (ETC) which is expected to draw the legislators who helped procure funding for the project as well as campus and community leaders, faculty and students.
At noon, a slide show presentation showing what the building will look like and what it can do, will be held in Carson Hall, Room 68. Professors Falbo and Rohwedder, and George Beeler, architect from AIM Associates in Petaluma, will explore why the building is being referred to as a "state-of-the-future" building.
At 1:30 p.m., the groundbreaking ceremony takes place at the Earth Lab site on the northwest side of campus, where a tree will be planted symbolizing the connection of the building to the rhythms of the earth and the vision it offers for the future. Among others, invited legislators include Senator John Burton, Assemblymember Valerie Brown, Assemblymember Kerry Mazzoni, Senator Mike Thompson, and Representative Lynn Woolsey. Each of these legislators was instrumental in helping to secure funding for the project, which includes $370,000 from the National Science Foundation and $215,000 from the California Energy Commission.
The Environmental Technology Center (ETC) will serve as a laboratory for undergraduate research and research-based training. It will provide students and faculty with the opportunity for on-going study and evaluation of environmentally-sound architectural design, energy efficiency and renewable energy technology. The Center will also serve as a resource for the surrounding community through demonstration, education and consultation services. Architects and people in the community will use the ETC as a model for practical ideas they can use in their projects. Workshops and conferences held in the Center will further educate the community on energy efficiency and sustainable architecture.
For more information contact the Department of Environmental Studies and Planning, 707/664-2306 or visit the Environmental Technology Center web page at: www.sonoma.edu/ensp/etc (see link below).
For more information:
http://www.sonoma.edu/ensp/etc
