The sustainable case for the new Ocean and Coastal Studies Building at Texas A&M University-Galveston (TAMU-G) was compelling:

• The mission of the school is to be a leading marine education and research institution whose faculty and students are strongly committed to understanding and protecting sea life;
  
• The site for the building overlooks the campus marina, an active maritime hub that has been environmentally restored as part of the campus development plan;
  
• The campus is located on Pelican Island in Galveston County, Texas on the hurricane-prone Gulf Coast; and
  
• The university sought no less than a LEED Silver designation for the building.

At the same time, WHR Architects had made a commitment to strengthen the firm's knowledge and capabilities in the area of sustainability and, in 2008, launched the Sustainable Design Initiative (SDI) to provide deeper resources for staff and clients. The Ocean and Coastal Studies Building proved a prime candidate for their "whole building" approach to balancing the environmental, economic and social aspects of the project.

Sustainable Design Considerations

The project site, previously a paved parking lot, was improved by the building design and landscaping. By removing approximately 67,000 square feet of pavement and incorporating native/adaptive vegetation and pervious surface, the design improved the watershed, stormwater conditions and reduced heat island effect.

Strategically sited to capitalize on existing parking and minimize new, the 111,015 square foot project provides only four handicap/accessible spaces in addition to two spaces to support vanpool/carpool and fuel efficient vehicles. All other parking needs are provided for in existing, adjacent lots. The location also takes advantage of close proximity to existing campus and community services within the same quadrant of campus.

To minimize building footprint, the design team struck a balance between compact design and massing as well as separation of occupancy types to maximize energy efficiency. Open office planning in the office wing minimizes floor space and circulation. The lab wing utilizes modular planning for efficiency and a racetrack corridor with labs on the perimeter and support and service spaces on the interior.

With the architects and engineers working together in an integrated approach early on in the planning phases of project allowed for the separation of the office and laboratory wings resulting in increased efficiency of the HVAC system, limiting the required 100 percent air exhaust to laboratory spaces only. More efficient re-circulated air systems with a heat recovery system are employed elsewhere in the building. Exterior glazing is generally limited to five-foot square windows, relying on a high percentage of insulated masonry and precast concrete walls to reduce radiant and convective heat losses.

A combination of efficient irrigation systems all designed to respond to different site conditions such as, sun, shade, slope, wind and plant material resulted in a reduction of water use. Further, to protect the Gulf Coast waters, the entire campus has a stormwater drainage system and the Ocean and Coastal Studies Building roof runoff drains to underground storage tanks for re-use in landscape irrigation.

Storm Resistant Design

Given the prevalence of hurricanes and other severe storms on the Texas Gulf — Hurricane Ike struck the site in the fall of 2008 just months after the groundbreaking — the design team made every effort to minimize environmental impacts through hurricane/storm resistant design.

The building, designed to meet the Texas Department of Insurance requirements for this coastal location, provides resistance to 120 mph winds by structure, windows, roofing and all building components. Non-corrosive materials are used to the greatest extent possible, primarily precast concrete and brick with stainless steel trim. The first defense against water damage is the elevation of the building, which is higher than the requirements set forth by local zoning and campus standards. The original site elevation of 12 feet above sea level was raised to 16 feet. With the exception of the curtain wall at the entries, all windowsills are located 4 feet above grade.

Additional environmental impact reduction strategies include hydraulic passenger elevators that prevent pollution of water bodies by reducing or eliminating hydraulic equipment failure, which can release toxic hydraulic fluids into ground water and downstream water bodies.

Finally, the team recommended chemical-free termite control strategies aimed at the destructive Formosan termite common to this area. Traditional pest control is usually highly toxic chemicals applied during construction (and reapplied during life of building) have a relatively short efficacy rate and would result in significant exposure of toxic chemicals throughout the life of the building to the threatened Gulf Coast water quality and habitat. This project avoids use of these toxins by incorporating two strategies: no wood is used on the exterior of the building, which reduces attraction of termites to the building and TERMI MESH, a stainless steel mesh barrier system acts as a physical barrier.

"Whole Building" Satisfaction

Currently in the process of achieving LEED Gold Certification there is no question that the Ocean and Coastal Studies Building met the challenges of environmental sustainability. Remarkably, in spite of construction delays and associated problems caused by Hurricane Ike the project was delivered on time and within budget, a serious concern for the university. As importantly for TAMU-G and the design team, the new building delivers on a series of social goals that foster a more collaborative, learning and teaching environment.

While the research and office teaching wings are separated, the spacious lobby located at the intersection of the two wings, serves as a meeting point, connector, exhibit space and navigational hub, which brings together students, faculty and researchers and encourages the sharing of ideas. Views from the lobby as well as many other spaces overlook the campus marina, connecting the building users to the marine life that is at the heart of all their studies and is a crucial part of the regional ecology.

In sum, the Ocean and Coastal Studies Building has become an efficient, effective, healthy and environmentally sound symbol that positions the school as a leading marine education and research institution.

Sidebar: LEED STRATEGY

Consideration for attaining the university’s goal of Silver LEED certification was evident in all phases of the project. In fact, the project has been submitted for LEED construction review and is expected to achieve LEED Gold within the next two months. Conservation strategies include:

• Special steps have been taken to impede the effects of the uniquely corrosive atmosphere inside the research spaces, as well as the corrosive external maritime environment.
  
• Environmentally sensitive building materials include regionally produced, precast concrete and locally produced brick used for exterior cladding. The concrete contains a high percentage of fly ash, a post-industrial product, replacing sand. Most steel used on the project also contains recycled content.
  
• Underground water storage tanks collect condensate from the HVAC system and roof run-off, which will be used for irrigation.
  
• Construction waste management involved separation and recycling and reduced construction waste by 89 percent.
  
• Since the site is on an island 50 minutes from Houston, a carpool plan for subcontractors was implemented.
  
• Interior finishes are low volatile organic compound (VOC)-emitting.
  
• Lab casework is Forest Stewardship Council (FSE) certified and meets standards for reforesting. All casework contains recycled steel or wheat board substrate, which is a recycled, low VOC product made with clear maple wood veneer without formaldehyde.
  
• Cork, a natural, renewable material, is used on lobby accent walls on all three floors for its acoustical sound absorption properties and to evoke the image of sediment in sand.
  
• Recycled glass is used in the mosaic murals, as well as an aggregate in the terrazzo on the main lobby stair.
  
• Native coastal plants were selected to demand less irrigation, while forming an indigenous seaside landscape. The integrated design and planning approach yielded increased HVAC efficiencies, limiting100 percent air exhaust to labs only while other spaces use re-circulated air with a heat recovery system resulting in an estimated cost savings of 27.8 percent above ASHRAE 90.1 2004
  
• Efficient irrigation systems like drip irrigation and bubblers for the shrubs, ground cover and annuals, high efficiency MP rotators for turf areas resulted in an estimated reduction of 66.4 percent water use over the baseline
  
• Project uses dual flush water closets, low-flow urinals and low-flow faucet aerators to reduce potable water usage projecting an estimated water savings of 41%

Summary of LEED facts:

• Waste management reduced construction waste by 89 percent
  
• 43 percent of all materials used on the project were regional
  
• 36 percent of all materials included recycled content
  
• 95 percent of all wood on the project was FSC certified wood
  
• Potable water usage was reduced by 41.3 percent
  
• Achieved 20 percent energy reduction
  
• Ventilation was increased by 30 percent for offices and 80 percent for labs