Labs are usually among the least energy-efficient buildings because of their ventilation requirements, Dorn says. As such, it was a challenge to provide proper ventilation while also achieving energy-efficiency goals, but current projections show the building performing 40% better than code for energy usage.

"An arts facility such as this requires a tremendous amount of exhaust and make-up air, so we added heat-recovery coils on much of the building's exhaust air systems to capture energy leaving the building [in the form of heat] and use it to preheat the outdoor air at the central air-handling units," explains James Stieg, senior project manager at ME Engineers .

Each studio classroom is served with an independent, variable air system with low-velocity displacement diffusers. When exhaust/make-up air is not the governing factor for these spaces, demand ventilation will provide further energy savings, Stieg says. ME Engineers also designed a system to provide heated air at head level even though ceilings reach up to 16 ft on the first floor. Slot vents on countertops extract fumes before people can breathe them, and a user-friendly, easily accessible filter system signals an alarm when vents and filters need service.

Shades of Green

The arts center is heated by a 1,134 MBtu/year glycol-based, solar-thermal heating system that produces hot water for in-slab radiant heating as well as domestic hot water. The German-made Oventrop system's solar heat collectors are 5-in.-dia, 5-ft-long evacuated tubes that cover two sections of the roof. For initial start-up, the collectors will be installed at night so as not to overwhelm the system. Their output is based on the requirements for radiant heating, and any extra heat will be discharged through a dry cooler. "While the university will notice the energy savings, the environment will notice a big reduction in carbon emissions," Stieg says.

The building is cooled by a centralized evaporative system, with natural ventilation for perimeter offices and common areas. The refrigerant-free system will harness the frequent regional winds by strategically locating exterior louvers and ducting into interior common spaces, Stieg says. Auto switches keep lighting and exhaust fans from being accidentally left on. Other energy-saving and user-friendly features include daylighting, light shelves and indirect lighting. Low-flow plumbing fixtures will reduce water use by 40%.

An interactive touch screen in the building's lobby will educate visitors and occupants about the building's energy efficiency and other sustainable features.

local Conditions

While the design team was challenged to balance clean air with energy efficiency, GEJ worked hard to qualify subcontractors as part of its effort to use mainly local and regional firms on Wyoming projects. "It's the least populated state, with a large geographic area, but more than 70% of the subs came from Wyoming," Holt says.

The 15-month arts center project broke ground in September 2010, not an ideal time to begin foundation work at an elevation of 7,300 ft. GEJ fought a long Laramie winter, working through temperatures that dipped to -20° F with 30 mph winds and wind chills of -50° F.

Ground-thawing operations enabled foundation work and erection of the two-story building's steel frame from November through February. Hoses hooked to a generator pumped heated glycol into the ground, thawing and warming each area as it was excavated and while the foundation was poured and backfilled. Underground electric and plumbing systems were also installed, requiring unrelenting attention to keep the ground from re-freezing overnight.