When St. Louis Community College began planning a new campus in West St. Louis County, the Trustees committed themselves to sustainability, a concept consistent with the college’s philosophy that education should be “…a rewarding experience offered in an environment that fosters the growth and well-being of all members of the community it serves.” They recognize that wise use of resources has health, quality of life, and financial benefits.

St. Louis Community College, the largest community college system in Missouri, enrolls approximately 32,500 students each semester at three campuses and four education centers, serving a 700-square mile area that includes the City of St. Louis, St. Louis County and portions of Jefferson and Franklin counties.

This will be the fourth campus in the community college system, located approximately five miles from an existing education center. The site of the new 60-acre campus comprises former farms and forested land on the edge of Wildwood, Missouri, a city that embraces concepts of New Urbanism in the small scale of its commercial and residential buildings and its pedestrian-friendly streets. The campus proper will house at least four buildings totaling approximately 280,000 square feet of space to serve 3,000 students. Space is being planned for two additional buildings that could be constructed in partnership with other institutions in the future. In the first phase, a 70,000 square foot building will be constructed to house 23 classrooms, an administration area, a student support area and commons.

The criteria of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System have informed the planning and design process in significant ways.

Site Sustainability

The parking for the phase one building site was selected to avoid impact on a small rain-dependent stream, which will be maintained in its natural state. The site does contain a dry stream bed that will be filled, and an artificial stream, wetlands and pond area will be developed nearby in a conjunction with the Army Corps of Engineers. Outdoor teaching spaces will take advantage of these features. The campus will manage storm water through use of bio-scapes and pervious paving at parking areas to retain run-off at its source, use of run-off from the building’s roof to water small formal landscapes surrounding each building.

The planning team also is considering use of green roofs, both to reduce run-off and to relieve the heat island effect. The new campus will provide for alternate means of transportation to private automobiles, with consideration being given to the City of Wildwood’s future public transportation plans. The campus will provide bicycle storage and changing rooms, as well as walking paths in conjunction with the city’s future plans to connect two nearby public parks with pedestrian and bicycle paths. The planning team also will reduce light pollution through effective design of outdoor lighting.

A key lesson learned is the need for a campus master plan to ensure site sustainability — even when development is going to be phased over a number of years. It is essential to use the attributes of the site to enhance the learning environment at the same time they promote sustainability. Moreover, storm water management schemes must balance site needs with those of communities downstream.

Water Efficiency

Much of the landscape will comprise native vegetation to reduce water consumption. There is no plan to use potable water for irrigation. If the campus is able to tie into the existing metropolitan sewer district, it will. However, the planning team is also investigating innovative on-site wastewater treatment technologies that are being used by small municipalities. The planning team is planning to install water-efficient plumbing fixtures, including waterless urinals, perhaps first on a small scale to determine if they will be appropriate for use on campus.

It is essential for a sustainable master plan to consider various alternatives and contingencies to maximize water efficiency, including alternative wastewater management strategies. Equipment must be selected that is compatible with the owner’s culture, as well as its operations and maintenance program.

Energy And Atmosphere

The orientation of campus buildings has been planned to take advantage of views, conserve energy, and use daylight to provide 75-85 percent of indoor lighting. If not green roofs, buildings will be designed with reflective roofs to reduce heat gain. While the planning team is considering use of renewable power, energy-efficient mechanical and electrical systems will be part of the building design. A commissioning consultant, William Tao and Associate, has been brought on board at the planning phase consistent with best practices commissioning.

Materials And Resources

In planning a sustainable educational campus, the owner and planning/design team took a global approach, master planning the entire campus to ensure long-term sustainability.

Construction plans call for diversion of at least 50 percent of construction waste to recycling. The planning team is looking at opportunities for reuse of resources. Specifications will call for at least 5 percent recycled content in materials and furnishings, including carpet, furniture and flooring. Locally manufactured goods will comprise 20 percent of construction materials. Use of rapidly renewable resources is also high on the list of priorities, with consideration being given to materials such as wheat board. Certified wood products will be specified.

To maximize cost-effective use of sustainable materials and resources, it is essential to do the research up front and encourage interaction with manufacturers’ representatives. Moreover, it is important to visit installations that have been in place at last several years to assess the durability of materials.

Indoor Air Quality

A construction indoor air quality management plan has been developed to keep potential contaminants out of the HVAC system. Materials will be selected for low VOC emissions, and operations and maintenance procedures will be designed to control indoor chemicals and pollutants. Ventilation effectiveness and carbon monoxide monitoring will meet LEED standards. Systems controls will be designed to give occupants individual control of their spaces. St. Louis Community College will implement its building smoke-free policy on the new campus.

Keep Options Open

In planning a sustainable educational campus, the owner and planning/design team must first take a global approach, master planning the entire campus to ensure long-term sustainability. They must set priorities for those concepts that they can achieve, would like to achieve, or are unlikely to achieve due to reasons of capital cost, long-term financial payback, organizational culture, local code issues, and operations and maintenance capabilities. Finally, keep as many options open as possible because the future may bring new opportunities. One thing is certain: educational facilities that have stood the test of time over a century show that schools and colleges can and should be built to last.