Sustainability in the University Center at The New School University
The following paper is an investigation into the sustainability aspect at the University Center at The New School University in the Greenwich Village in New York City, with an analyzation of the operation of the buildings design and how it is integrated into everyday visitor and student life. Looking at the systematic aspects of the University Center like the annual report of water usage, waste component, and energy consumption, the green roof, the basement, and the seventeenth floor of the University Center will demonstrate an understanding of how individual workings of the unit contribute to the overall functionality of the sustainable system at The New School University. From the roof to the basement within the building, there are several systems installed since the first design project began in 2011, being finished in 2013. Costly, however lessens the energy usage in the building where most on campus typically spend the majority of their time.
It is a well known aspect of the design of the very unique building to be environmentally friendly, remodeled in the school’s 94th year of establishment, the project completed in 2013 by designers Skidmore, Owings and Merrill. Projected and executed as a model of energy efficiency, carbon reduction, and sustainability, the building expects thirty-one percent energy savings over a code-compliant school annually. It is with a combination of passive and high-tech solutions that increase energy efficiency within the building. Much of what is seen within the building can be seen outside, since much of the design is incorporated with a viewing from an outside perspective.
With The New School being a well known advocate for Climate Change, it is crucial to understand the way in which these multitude of sustainable systems operate within the building visibly and hidden to the overall population of the attendees and faculty. With the usage of all these systems effectively, these functions prove to lessen carbon emissions and energy consumption as a whole. The efforts to install these new heating and cooling systems, sensors, water, steam, and natural gas systems significantly lessen the amount of stress the electricity grid in New York City has to exude. Having all items offered in the cafeteria to be 100% compostable benefits the environment and lessens the amount of waste the university outputs each year. The New School’s University Center serves as the heart of the university while being fully functional in multiple spaces for multiple types of majors and classes.
Research is conducted through an interview and tour of the University Center’s 17th and 7th floor with the New School’s assistant director of sustainability initiatives. The paper will analyze statical records by looking at comparisons of energy saving equipment from year to year. In addition, analysis will take place to understand the construction of the building itself.
The research carried out is crucial in order for the average New School student to understand the functionality and purpose of each aspect of the sustainability of the University Center. This paper will answer questions as to what utility provides what in order for the students in the dormitory and University Center to utilize the resources properly and become knowledgeable about why expenses are so high.
Eibert, Erik. “Sustainability Initiatives.” Sustainability Initiatives | Buildings, The New School, www.newschool.edu/buildings/sustainability-initiatives/.
This source is a basic understanding of what the university’s mission statement is when it comes to sustainability at the New School and what is being done to the University Center and the Kerrey Hall dorms in a simple statement.
Eibert, Erik. “Sustainability Initiatives Annual Report.” Sustainability Initiatives | Buildings, The New School, www.newschool.edu/buildings/sustainability-initiatives/.
This sustainability report for the University Center at the New School is first hand evidence of the conservation of energy, water usage, etc at the New School. This report shows what is being saved and how much has been saved over the course of one year in the building. The researcher uses this as evidence as to what statistics and “To what extent” the building initiatives are doing and how it improves sustainability in the dorms and in the University Center. A Sustainability report is done every year so that the public knows what is being assessed and to what extent the initiatives are effective.
Eibert, Erik. “Energy.” Parsons | Art and Design School in NYC | The New School.
https://www.newschool.edu/buildings/sustainability-initiatives-energy-and-emissions/
The energy use is very prominent and high in universities and in large urban cities such a New York City, this resource is used to understand the New School’s message towards sustainability.
Eibert, Erik. “Water Conservation.” Parsons | Art and Design School in NYC | The New School.
https://www.newschool.edu/buildings/sustainability-initiatives-water-conservation/
A part of sustainability is conserving water, this source is used to understand the water systems in place at the University Center and the Kerrey Hall dorms above it.
Eibert, Erik. “Building Operations.” Parsons | Art and Design School in NYC | The New School.
https://www.newschool.edu/buildings/sustainability-initiatives-building-operations/
This source is used to help the researcher understand how the building operates and which functions do what in order to understand the functionality of the building to an everyday person.
Eibert, Erik. “Sustainability Initiatives Goals and Commitments.” Parsons | Art and Design School in NYC | The New School.
https://www.newschool.edu/buildings/sustainability-initiatives-goals-and-commitments/
This source is used to gain a knowledge on how the University Center aligns their goals and commitments to sustainability. It helps the audience understand why they have the rules in place that they do.
“Citation Machine: Format & Generate Citations – APA, MLA, & Chicago.” Citation Machine: Modern Language Association 8th Edition Format Citation Generator for Journal Article. Accessed March 01, 2019. http://www.citationmachine.net/.
This website and source was used to create citations in MLA format.
Valenzuela, Karen. “The New School University Center / Skidmore, Owings & Merrill.” ArchDaily. April 10, 2014. Accessed March 08, 2019. http://www.archdaily.com/494660/the-new-school-university-center-skidmore-owings-and-merrill.
“How Thermal Storage Beats Traditional Cooling.” Alternative-to-Expensive-Airconditioning, Almac, www.calmac.com/alternative-to-expensive-airconditioning.
Image used
Tomia. Rotary Heat Exchanger. 11 Nov. 2007.
Image used
“Waste Management.” Sustainability and Waste Management | Buildings, The New School, www.newschool.edu/buildings/sustainability-initiatives-waste-management/.
Understanding waste management and the separation between landfill, paper, recycling, and compost.
Nguyen, Natalie. “Sustainability Tour with Erik Eibert.” 7 Mar. 2019.
A tour taken of the sustainability aspects of the University Center such as the green roof, 7th floor, 17th floor, and basement of the Kerrey Hall dormitory.
“Lighting.” Sustainability | University Center, The New School, www.newschool.edu/university-center/sustainability/.
Understanding the lighting of the building in the university Center academic room.
“Ice Storage.” Sustainability | University Center, The New School, www.newschool.edu/university-center/sustainability/.
This is used to understand the ice storage units that cool the University Center.
“Cogeneration.” Sustainability | University Center, The New School, www.newschool.edu/university-center/sustainability/.
The natural gas unit that is housed on the 17th floor, understanding how it is operated.
Sustainably Sourced Materials.” Sustainability | University Center, The New School, www.newschool.edu/university-center/sustainability/.
Understanding how the building was constructed out of some recycled materials.