Green Features of the Paresky Center
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Architect: Polshek Partnership Architects
Date completed: Spring 2007 Function: Student Center Square Footage: 72,000 square feet Energy use in 2007: To be determined Energy use per square foot: To be determined |
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Paresky Center, which replaces Baxter Hall, includes a variety of innovative
features designed to reduce energy and resource needs. The building includes several
dining venues, a performance space, student mailboxes, a great hall, meeting rooms for
student organizations and more. Construction of Paresky and demolition of the 58,000
square foot Baxter Hall were carefully designed to use regional materials, minimize
waste, and reduce the use of toxic materials.
Deconstruction of Baxter Hall and Construction Waste Reduction of Energy Requirements Choice of Materials Building Operations 
Removal of Baxter HallConstruction and demolition debris makes up as much as 36% of solid waste in Massachusetts (source). That waste contributes to air pollution when burned in incinerators, and takes up space in landfills. In the case of the demolition of Baxter, however, 98% of the material (by weight) was recycled or salvaged. All architectural elements such as windows, doors, and columns were removed by an architectural salvage house for re-sale. The brick and concrete were recycled through a mutually beneficial arrangement with the Town of Williamstown. The rubble was crushed at the Town’s Department of Public Works site and was used by the Town for road bedding. In addition to keeping the waste out of a landfill, this arrangement greatly reduced the amount of fuel used for transportation, provided a useful material to the Town, and saved money when compared to traditional waste disposal.Construction WasteWaste from the construction process was also minimized: the construction waste plan diverted a minimum of 75% of construction waste from the landfill through use of multiple dedicated dumpsters. |
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