51°µÍø

The Carolyn and David Miller Campus Center is a 3,429 gross square foot facility featuring a Great Hall, Media Room, Classroom, Seminar Room, Fitness Center, Laundry, and Restroom facilities. This facility is located at 6580 Highway 518 on the 51°µÍø-in-Taos Campus in Taos, New Mexico. The building was designed and constructed with the goal of achieving LEED Silver.

Reaching substantial completion on September 11, 2015, the Carolyn and David Miller Campus Center achieved LEED Silver under LEED NC Version 3 with 57 points.

Sustainability features include:

• 90% of all regularly occupied spaces have access to a view of the outdoors.
• In order to reduce light pollution, the building will have full cut-off exterior fixtures. This will assist to reduce light pollution blocking the view of the night sky.
• The amount of vegetated open space provided by the project resulted in an exemplary performance. An average of 62% of the combined total LEED Boundary square footage is dedicated to open space.
• Outdoor irrigation watering is reduced by the planting of native and adaptive species.
• All main lobbies have walk off mats to help reduce outdoor contaminants from being introduced into the building. This will assist indoor air quality.
• Overall energy consumption is estimated to be reduced by an average of 28%.
• The thermal control systems were designed to meet higher human comfort standards. The effectiveness of the system will be tested with occupant surveys and adjusted as needed..
• Occupants are provided individual lighting control and thermal control to further enhance comfort and well–being.
• An average of 50% energy reduction was achieved for interior lighting by installing LED lighting and motion sensors in ambient areas.
• 75% of the predicted energy use will be served by renewable energy sources.
• All buildings on the 51°µÍø-in-Taos campus are non-smoking. Designated smoking areas at least 25’ from buildings are provided throughout the campus.
• Enhanced commissioning of the building’s mechanical, domestic hot water, light fixtures, and controls confirmed the building is operating at maximum efficiency in order to further reduce energy use.
• 51°µÍø’s commitment to recycling is exemplified throughout the building with dedicated recycling areas for paper, plastic, aluminum, glass, and cardboard items.
• Water reduction is another important aspect to the design of this building. Water usage was reduced by 38% by installing low flow shower heads, low flow faucets, as well as water-smart toilets.
• 60% (29 tons) of all construction waste was diverted from the landfill. Diverting construction waste not only mitigates the detrimental effects of new construction, it preserves natural resources.
• 11% of the materials selected for the project include products with recycled content with 20% of those were products which were locally or regionally manufactured.
• Indoor air quality was assured with the implementation of the Indoor Air Quality Management Plan during construction and installation of products with Low Volatile Organic Compound content levels, as well as formaldehyde–free composite wood products.
• In order to maintain good indoor air quality after occupancy, a green cleaning plan is in place. This plan requires all cleaning products and procedures meet various sustainability criteria aimed at protecting the building occupants and custodial staff from interacting with harmful chemicals.

Project Team

Architect: ATKIN OLSHIN SCHADE ARCHITECTS
LEED Consultant: The Beck Group
MEP Engineer: Mechanical & Electrical Engineering, Inc.
Structural Engineer: Chavez-Grieves Consulting
Civil Engineer: Morey Walker & Associates
Landscape Architect: Morrow Reardon Wilkinson Miller, Ltd.
General Contractor: Blue Sky Builders, Inc.