Environmental Center Proposal

Executive Summary

The Middlebury College Environmental Center is designed to unify and strengthen environmental programs at Middlebury, serve as a model for ecological design in Vermont, educate about sustainable living and environmental issues, and foster community interaction.

The Center will provide an environmental academic interest residence and sustainable dining alternative for students and will serve as a "hub" for the Environmental Studies academic program. It will provide an educational service for the College and Community through its design and programming, which will extend throughout the entire year. Its design will also develop connections between the built and natural environment, enhanced by opportunities for faculty and student research. It will be essential to develop an "Environmental RHA" position to assist in management of the Center and guide programming.

Through program-centered design, the Center will offer an excellent facility to accomplish these goals. A central area for food preparation, dining, and socialization will be the heart of the structure. Separate wings for student residences and academic offices will allow for a connection between faculty and students without uncomfortable interference. The outdoors will be brought inside through a greenhouse connected to the central area, and the relationship to the outdoors will be perpetuated by gardens and a link to the Class of '97 Colin T. O'Neil Memorial Trail. The functional systems of the house will be models for sustainability. This philosophy of building as pedagogy will be enhanced by a comfortable house-like atmosphere, and spaces will be designed for multiple uses to provide as much flexibility as possible.

The Environmental Center will be an exciting addition to the Middlebury College campus. It will serve as a symbol and focus of our excellence in Environmental Studies, and our commitment environmental responsibility. It will enhance student life through new programming and project opportunities, and give students a unique opportunity to integrate learning with living. By providing the Environmental Studies department with an improved facility, the Center will enhance our outstanding program and give it potential for further growth and development. As a physical example of sustainable design, the Center will provide valuable information about potential cost savings in energy use and waste processing, allowing the College to move further along its path of environmental responsibility. It will also give us the opportunity to explore materials and technologies for future construction and renovations on campus. Perhaps most importantly, this Environmental Center will be visible proof of our leadership in Environmental Studies, earning us recognition and fostering new relationships for Middlebury.

Mission Statement

1. Provide a center to unify environmental interests.
   • Provide academic interest residence for students and one or two advisory staff
   • Provide a dining alternative with emphasis on sustainability
   • Provide office, meeting, learning, and resource space to accommodate growth in the Environmental Studies Program and in related co-curricular activities

2. Serve as a model for ecological design in Vermont.
   • Lessen aesthetic impact with design that responds to either the physical surroundings or the traditional elements of Vermont buildings
   • Be a net producer of energy
   • Minimize all waste through reduction of use and on site treatment
   • Integrate food production by utilizing a greenhouse, garden, and storage facilities
   • Experiment with technologies, materials, furnishings, landscaping, operations and design strategies that maximize environmental benefits and may potentially be utilized in other areas on campus
   • Design and build to last, with appropriate building materials and attention to flexibility
   • Honor The Hannover Principles to the greatest possible extent in construction and design (See appendix A.)

3. Educate about sustainable living and environmental issues.
   • Develop curriculum for residents of the Center encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration and applied projects related to sustainable living
   • Provide a facility for Environmental Studies seminars and research
   • Provide educational services and events for the broader college and local community
   • Provide a flexible, multi-purpose space which fosters community interaction and conversation

4. Foster community interaction.
   • Provide a space and environment for interaction between students and faculty of all disciplines, between operations and academics, and between the College and surrounding community

Program Goals

1. Provide an environmental academic interest residence and dining alternative.
   • Classroom learning integrated with everyday living experience
   • Alternative dining option emphasizing sustainability and local foods
   • Resident involvement in projects related to the Center or environmental concerns
   • Resident responsibility to foster goals of the Center

2. Build a "hub" for Environmental Studies.
   • Relatively central location
   • Classroom/seminar facilities
   • Offices for three or four faculty and program assistant
   • Small environmental studies library

3. Provide educational service and connection for college and local community.
   • Substantial budget for educational programming and events
   • Meeting and office space for campus environmental organizations
   • Environmental library
   • Large area for group use

4. Establish year-round programs.
   • Undergraduate and/or graduate environmental studies summer semester
   • Internships, research, and other summer projects
   • Interactive displays and information to educate residents and visitors
   • Educational events, presentations, meetings, exhibits, etc.

5. Foster connections between built and natural environment.
   • Functional systems of structure visible and utilized as educational tools
   • Informational displays about materials and systems
   • Faculty research and class projects
   • Student involvement in design and construction of Center
   • Relationship to recycling center and Class of 1997 Trail

6. Develop an "Environmental RHA" position to guide programming.
   • Provide general assistance with above programming
   • Serve as advisor and facilitator for student residents and faculty
   • Assist in maintenance of gardens, greenhouse, and other systems
   • Keep records of ongoing projects
   • Develop and maintain connections with campus and community groups

7. Develop advisory role for Environmental Coordinator and Environmental Council.
   • Act as an advisory resource in planning, development and programming

Physical Components

1. Location
   • Relatively central to student life
   • Near Class of '97 Colin T. O'Neil Memorial Trail
   • Near recycling/composting center, but far enough to avoid noise pollution
   • Adjacent to large garden plot
   • Significant south facing exposure for potential solar gain

2. Indoor Spaces

   Central Area

   • Cooking facility: to serve >50, canning / drying station
   • Food storage: cabinets, pantry, root cellar, bulk containers
   • Dining area: main social space, connected to kitchen, not separated by wall
   • Great hall: lecture / meeting / gallery / alternative dining space for 100, versatile
   • Greenhouse: food production, classroom / study space, possible grey-water recycling

     Academic Wing

   • Faculty offices: 3 or 4
   • Program assistant office: reception area
   • Seminar room / library: for classes, meetings, study (computer, overhead, TV/VCR)
   • Office space: shared office for campus environmental organization use

     Residential Wing

   • Student rooms: for 20-30 students, mostly singles
   • Apartment: residence for RHA

3. Outdoor Spaces
   • Porch / terrace: area for outdoor gathering
   • Organic farm / garden: 1-2 acres, food production and experimental
   • Tools and equipment storage, possible straw bale construction
   • Link to Class of '97 Colin T. O'Neil Memorial Trail

4. Systems
   • Recycled/local building materials: whenever possible
   • Passive solar design: southern exposure, thermal mass for heat storage
   • Tight construction: highly insulated walls and windows, well sealed
   • Air quality systems: circulation, humidity, air filtration
   • Waste water processing: i.e. composting toilets, grey water filtration systems, etc.
   • Heat/hot water: explore active solar, wind, geothermal heat pump, wood furnace, etc.

5. Design Elements
   • Multi-use spaces: efficient use of space (i.e. library/seminar room)
   • Flexible design
   • Building as pedagogy: learn from design and construction of building
   • Visible systems: foster understanding of process
   • House not residence hall: maintain house-like atmosphere of Weybridge

Project Justification

1. Excellence in Environmental Studies
   • Symbol and focus of environmental commitment at Middlebury
   • Facility for expansion of Environmental Studies academic year curriculum and summer programming
   • Potential for greater co-curricular enhancement of academic program

2. Student Life
   • Academic Interest House experience attractive to students
   • Opportunity for senior-level projects and research
   • Development of improved co-curricular environmental programming

3. Improvement of current Environmental House
   • Benefits of integration with academic program
   • Environmental construction and technology as part of learning experience
   • Improved facility for larger presentations and events
   • Adequate food storage and preparation facilities for residents and groups
   • Greater number of singles appealing to upper-class students
   • More visible and central location
   • Increased space and facilities for growing food

4. Improvement of ES department facilities
   • Grouped office space and library resources
   • Classroom space with connection to outdoors
   • Housing and dining facilities for a summer program

5. Potential Cost Savings In Energy Use and Waste Processing
   • Lower draw on utilities
   • Reduced or eliminated sewage output
   • Multi-use space utilized more frequently / less heating of unoccupied space

6. Model for Future Construction and Renovation
   • Recycled or local materials
   • Energy saving technology
   • Multi-use space
   • Academic / Residential Integration

7. Leadership, Visibility and Recognition
   • Demonstrated commitment to leadership in Environmental Studies
   • Model of sustainable design for Vermont and New England
   • Potential for ongoing relationship with local community schools
   • Draw for prospective students interested in our Environmental Studies program

(Sample format for project sheet in Facilities Plan)

Project N16 Environmental Center $3,000,000

Description of Project

• 25-30 student residence
• offices for 4 ES faculty, department assistant, and Associate Director
• Environmental RHA residence
• seminar / library space
• large common space
• industrial level food storage and cooking
• attached greenhouse / garden

Project Rationale

The Environmental Center will provide a hub for Middlebury's environmental activities, both academic and co-curricular, an area noted as a priority for the College and of broad interest for students. Through multi-use space, it will maximize building use while uniting and strengthening the diverse environmental interests on campus. Large community space will enable students and faculty to program both social and educational events. The building itself will serve as an educational tool for the College and community through the use of sustainable materials, closed-loop systems, and a connection to the College's recycling facility and the new interpretive trail. The building will require direction by a recent graduate, in a position such as a newly created Environmental RHA, in order to maintain systems and programming. It will also provide a home for a new environmental summer program, an essential element to excellence in environmental studies.

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