PALADIN: UofL Belknap Residence Hall, Phase 1

BELKNAP RESIDENCE

HALL, PHASE I

University of Louisville | Louisville, Kentucky

Building Commissioning

Sustainability Consulting

Great communication skills throughout the project. The customer support went beyond expectations.

MIKE MATERNA, Assistant Director University Planning, Design & Construction

opposite page: Features include outdoor greenspaces with classrooms, hammocks, physical and mental outdoor games area above: Phase I

BELKNAP RESIDENCE HALL

University of Louisville | Louisville, KY

UofL’s Belknap Residence Hall, Phase I is an $87,000,000 modern housing facility serving first-year students that opened in 2021. In close proximity to educational facilities, the hall is home to 452 students throughout the academic year and countless students in summer programs. Phase II is a twin of Phase I and scheduled for opening in time for Fall 2022 semester.

THE PROJECT

The project was initiated as a replacement for outdated dorms and is the first new hall on campus in over 30 years. The new hall features housing for single- and double-occupancy rooms and a host of amenities to make it a living/learning community including classrooms, two-tier lounges and gaming suites, private study rooms, kitchens, and laundry facilities.

oppostie page: Cultural and Equity Center located in the new hall

top: Daylighting and branding

above left: Living-learning environments feature indoor-outdoor connectivity

above right: Double-occupancy room

THE WORK

Paladin played a dual role in the project: 1) LEED Administrator guiding the sustainability initiatives and strategies for the design of both phases and 2) Commissioning Provider for construction–warranty phases. Through design iterations, the project team realized the University’s target of LEED Silver could be increased to LEED Gold. This higher certification was an important strategic goal for the University whose student body anticipates sustainability in all areas of operations. Additionally, UofL wanted a design that minimized emissions and waste while retaining durability and maintainability with existing personnel. These goals dovetailed into the sustainability strategy that emphasized a balanced scorecard and the commissioning goals which focused on functional systems and setting up the Physical Plant team for operational success.

During commissioning, Paladin’s field tasks focused on two elements 1) incorporating the University’s Physical Plant standards into all elements of the commissioning process: design, submittal reviews, field observation, and functional testing and 2) optimizing the tools the Physical Plant uses in daily operations such as their centralized building automation system and Maximo task order system. A detailed and customized commissioning plan allowed turnover to be achieved by Substantial Completion with all systems commissioned and open issues resolved.

left: Shared spaces enhance the community feeling

above: Multiple types of seating and nooks for study and collaboration

right: UofL branding throughout

opposite page: New Hall adjacent to Student Center

THE IMPACT

The Belknap Residence Hall achieved multiple notable sustainability metrics including LEED GOLD while remaining cost efficient, durable, and easy to maintain. The new hall includes a 36.1% reduction in water use .

Through Triple Bottom Line Analysis of just eleven credits pursued, it was revealed that a $540,000 additional investment in sustainable design and construction strategies returned to all stakeholders over $988,000 in benefits.

The new residence hall allows students to learn not only lessons from a college education, but also the values of sustainable living.

Paladin led the coordination efforts and tracked key milestones beyond the typical scope for commissioning services to support the progress toward completion. The firm’s persistence helped overcome and address the unforeseen delays created by the pandemic, and the building was functional prior to occupancy.

The firm’s Construction Checklists proved valuable as they identified many operational and maintenance deficiencies and corrected them prior to the end of equipment warranty periods.

ABOUT PALADIN

We

Game changers in building systems

FIRM PROFILE

Paladin coined Game changers in building systems TM because of our commitment to your building’s potential. Founded in 1986, we built upon engineering roots and

COMMISSIONING

COMMISSIONING

Commissioning supports your specific project outcomes of energy performance, operational stability, risk reduction, and operating cost containment. Our capabilities encompass the entire built environment where we work to ensure seamless performance. When challenges present themselves, we partner with the team to achieve your project goals.

Commissioning supports your specific project outcomes of energy performance, operational stability, risk reduction, and operating cost containment. Our capabilities encompass the entire built environment where we work to ensure seamless performance. When challenges present themselves, we partner with you to achieve your project goals.

SUSTAINABILITY SERVICES

SUSTAINABILITY SERVICES

the strategy and ensure implementation so we meet those goals in a straight-forward, creative, and earth-improving way. To date, we have 100% success with our sustainability consulting. While that’s not a guarantee, it is an indication of how we work to bring about the best outcomes for you.

DIRECT-TO-OWNER ENGINEERING

As your technical guide through the leading sustainable rating systems (LEED, WELL, Green Globes, Carbon Neutral Design, etc.), we support you and your project team to reach the levels of sustainability you desire. We help unlock why sustainable design is important to your project, then develop the strategy and ensure implementation so we meet those goals in a straight-forward, creative, and earth-improving way. To date, we have 100% success with our sustainability consulting. While that’s not a guarantee, it is an indication of how we work to bring about the best outcomes for you.

As your technical guide through the leading sustainable rating systems (LEED, WELL, Green Globes, Carbon Neutral Design, etc.), we support you and your project team to reach the levels of sustainability you desire. We help unlock why sustainable design is important to your project, then develop

Our difference is a team that tells you the truth with good intent allowing you to leave status quo behind. We check our egos at the door and focus on your building’s working as intended. We are paladins— supporters of your project, defenders of your goals, and champions for your building’s success.

DIRECT-TO-OWNER ENGINEERING

We work in existing buildings and on process improvements to address aging infrastructure, identify energy conservation measures, and solve operational deficiencies. We recognize these projects are hard to fund, and carefully create design solution to match your budget.

We work in existing buildings and on process improvements to address aging infrastructure, identify energy conservation measures, and solve operational deficiencies. We recognize these projects are hard to fund, and carefully create design solution to match your budget.

coined

TM because of our solid commitment to your building’s potential.

Founded in 1986, we built upon engineering roots and now deliver strategic commissioning, sustainability services, and direct-to-owner engineering for new and existing facilities.

Our difference is a team that tells you the truth with good intent allowing you to leave status quo behind .

We check egos at the door and focus on making your building work as intended.

We are paladins — supporters of your project, defenders of your goals, and champions for your building’s success.