Residential Sustainability

Michigan Tech Residence Hall Achieves LEED Gold

Hillside Place residence hall at Michigan Technological University is one of the first Gold Certified student residences in Michigan, joining the ranks of just twenty-nine LEED certified (to various levels) student housing facilities across the country. Hillside Place offers a new type of campus housing combining the social benefits of dormitory style housing with an independent apartment lifestyle. The hybrid building fits into the University's modern architectural style, but also evokes a unique "north woods lodge" aesthetic with forms, details, materials and finishes not typically used in student housing.

Sustainable Design

One of the most creative sustainable design features is the reuse of three very large White Oak trees that had to be removed from the only feasible location for the building. The trees were carefully removed and cut into nine foot lengths, stripped of their bark and quartered into four sections. These wood quarters were later spliced together to wrap the exposed steel columns in the lodge. The reuse of this on-site natural resource contributes to the Materials and Resources Credits in an artful way befitting the University's extensive programs in the science of forest management. Different MEP systems were modeled utilizing Trane Trace. The final mechanical system includes two dedicated outside air units with plate and frame energy recovery devices to provide ventilation air to all occupants. A microprocessor-based direct digital control system monitors, controls and optimizes the operation of the HVAC system. Each dwelling unit and gathering space is heated by a low temperature infloor radiant heating system that maximizes comfort while minimizing piping transmission losses. High efficiency lighting and room occupancy sensors are provided to minimize electrical usage. Meters are provided to measure total energy usage to allow for future optimization and diagnostic analysis.

Cleaning Products

The residence halls use the green product G-Force #72 for general cleaning in halls, kitchenettes, and bathrooms. The product information and MSDS for G-Force #72 can be found at the G-Force #72 product page. In addition, all paper products used are Green Seal certified, and all trash bags are made from recycled plastic.

Recycling

Recycling is important to the Michigan Tech community. Although we recycle plastics and paper using bins on campus, we can't recycle all items. However, there are several businesses in the community that will recycle many other items. Please call them for specific information.