The Bellingham Business Journal
As part of a $51.5 million Miller Hall renovation, part of the building will get a green roof — the first of its kind on Western Washington University‘s campus.
The green roof is being installed over a small roof covering the new Student Collaboration Space – where students can meet and study – being built in the existing courtyard of Miller Hall. The green roof consists of a mat system of sedums, flowering plants that requires little maintenance.
The full project, funded by the Washington State Legislature, will renovate the entire 134,000 square-foot building, located on the university’s Red Square, and will provide general university classrooms, computer labs, instructional space, offices and support facilities for Woodring College of Education and the Department of Modern and Classical Languages. All building systems, elevators, roofing, windows and exterior elements for the aged building are being replaced.
Enviroscapes Northwest is installing the green roof. Dawson Construction of Bellingham is the general contractor and project construction manager.
Miller Hall, originally WWU’s Campus School, was built in 1943 and enlarged in 1968. No major renovation work has been done since. The project is anticipated to conclude in summer 2011.
The green roof is just part of the project’s green focus, incorporating a number of sustainable features. Windows will be operable, mechanical systems will use radiant cooling, and highly efficient lighting will be combined with increased daylighting. Where possible, the project team is using recycled and recyclable products as well as products purchased locally, such as certified wood products from the Pacific Northwest. The project is designed to achieve a LEED Silver rating or higher.