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Can BH Do More to Build a Sustainable Campus? ed advocate for environmental steward- would mean additional up-front costs. viable. While the Center does not hold a ship, Mr. McAlpin was brought into the While Belmont Hill may not have incor- LEED certification (a distinction for effiearly planning discussions of the building porated renewable energy in the Mel- ciency given out by the US Green BuildThe Melvoin Academic Center, to speak in broad terms and push for the voin Center, the facilities committee did ing Council), as a result of stringent local with its imposing physical footprint and consideration of sustainable elements. add a number of efficiency measures to codes it is most likely LEED certifiable, floor-to-ceiling windows, makes for an But he understood by the meetings’ end the building. In part to follow state and say Mr. Bounty and Mr. Young, and forimpressive gatekeeper of Belmont Hill’s that green architecture would likely just local building codes, Belmont Hill add- mal paperwork is probably the only thing academic quad. The building’s modern be a minor consideration in the con- ed an energy-saving chilled beam HVAC classrooms, vibrant murals, and features struction of the Center. The school told system, which, along with an airtight seal “As early planning of the cenlike the iLab have become central stops Mr. McAlpin that “maintaining the ar- and thick insulation, is so effective that ter took place, a vision of the on tours for prospective students. The chitectural integrity of the campus” was the building occasionally has to bring in Belmont Hill community generally looks important, making solar panels unlikely outside air in the winter, and installed structure emerged that seems favorably upon the “new building,” which (despite this concern, however, the final LED lighting and motorized shades to to be different than its eventual quickly became one of the most popular building did include a number of fea- keep the building cool in the warmer reality; according to the June spots on campus after its opening in No- tures not seen anywhere else on campus, months. According to Director of Op- 2013 issue of The Panel, ‘The vember 2014. But some students note what including black window frames and sec- erations Mr. Bounty and Director of FaMelvoin Academic Center will they see as somewhat frivolous features in tions of flat roof and stone siding). But cilities Mr. Young, the school did investhe center, from the seldom-used TV table the biggest roadblock was that making the tigate the possibility of solar panels but also be one of, if not the most on the second floor and the presence of building green simply was not a top pri- decided the Southwest-facing portion of “green” buildings on campus... Smart Boards or Prometheans in almost ority, especially if sustainable architecture the roof was too small to make an array solar power is a strong possibilevery classroom to the spacious Third ity, and an extremely efficient Form study hall. There are rarely comheating, cooling, and ventilaplaints, but occasionally some question tion (HVAC) system is under whether every element of the building repconsideration as well’ ” resents the most efficient use of resources. But to some who were at Belmont Hill when the Melvoin was first announced, preventing the Melvoin from carrying a most prominent in the building is what LEED plaque. Mr. Bounty and Mr. Young appears to be missing. As early planning point out that in the Melvoin, as with of the center took place, a vision of the most of the other projects on campus, the structure emerged that seems to be difefficient aspects of the building go mostferent than its eventual reality; according ly unnoticed - as Mr. Young puts it, “you to the June 2013 issue of The Panel, “The don’t see the plumbing.” In addition to Melvoin Academic Center will also be one the more visible efforts like the solar arof, if not the most “green” buildings on ray on the Jordan Athletic Center, which campus… solar power is a strong possiproduces 230,000 kilowatt hours of enbility, and an extremely energy efficient ergy a year, the school has made strides heating, cooling, and ventilation (HVAC) in the dorms, exchanging old boilers for system is under consideration as well.” efficient systems, replacing wasteful light News 4 the Melvoin Center fulfilled its Whether bulbs, retrofitting the insulation and winsustainability promise is somewhat comdows to better regulate temperature. The plicated. Science faculty member Mr. upcoming chapel expansion also promises McAlpin believes that while it is “a great similar initiatives. Each summer, Belmont building,” the Melvoin “falls short of what Hill adds LED lighting, dual-flush toilet is possible.” As the campus’ most dedicat- A 186 kilowatt solar array was installed on the roof of the Jordan Athletic Center in 2012 Continued on Page 4 By Nicholas Daley ‘19 Panel Staff
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