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

WHOLE BUILDING COMMISSIONING COMMISSIONING || SUSTAINABILITY SUSTAINABILITY CONSULTING CONSULTING WHOLE BUILDING

BELKNAP RESIDENCE HALL Un ive r sit y o f L ouisv ille | L ouis vi l l e , K Y 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THE PROJECT The project was initiated as a replacement for outdated dorms and is the first new hall on campus in over 30 years.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

BUILDING COMMISSIONING | SUSTAINABILITY CONSULTING

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.

BUILDING COMMISSIONING | SUSTAINABILITY CONSULTING

A B O U T PA L A D I N We coined Game changers in building systemsTM because of our solid commitment to your building’s potential.

F I RinM1986, P R Owe F I Lbuilt E upon engineering roots and now Founded deliver strategic commissioning, sustainability services, and Paladin coined Game changers in building direct-to-owner engineering forsystems new and existing facilities.

TM

because of our 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 COMMI S S I O NIN G to leave status the strategy and ensure implementation so Commissioning supports your specific project quo behind. We we meet those goals in a straight-forward, outcomes of energy performance, operational check our egos creative, and earth-improving way. To date, stability, risk reduction, and operating cost at the door and COMMISSIONING Our capabilities encompass we have 100% successfocus with our sustainability containment. on your Commissioning supports your specific project outcomes of energy performance, consulting. While that’s not a guarantee, the entire built environment where we work building’s working it is operational stability, risk reduction, and operating cost containment. Our an toindication of how as weintended. work to bring to ensureencompass seamless performance. capabilities the entire built environmentWhen where we work ensure We about seamless performance. When challenges present themselves, we partner with the best outcomes for you. challenges present themselves, we partner are paladins— the team to achieve your project goals. supporters of your with you to achieve your project goals.

SUSTAINABILITY SERVICES D I RECT- TO- OWN ER EN GIN EERIN G project, defenders As your technical guide through the leading sustainable rating systems (LEED, SU S TAI NAB I LI T Y S E R V IC E S of your goals, and Weandwork buildings and on WELL, Green Globes, Carbon Neutral Design, etc.), we support you your in existing project to reach guide the levelsthrough of sustainability you desire. We process help unlockimprovements champions for youraging to address As yourteam technical the leading why sustainable design is important to your project, then develop the strategy building’s infrastructure, identify energysuccess. conservation sustainable rating systems (LEED, WELL,

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.

and ensure implementation so we meet those goals in a straight-forward,

creative,Globes, and earth-improving way. To date, we have 100% success with our and solve operational deficiencies. measures, Green Carbon Neutral Design, etc.), sustainability consulting. While that’s not a guarantee, it is an indication of

we you about andtheyour projectforteam to how support we work to bring best outcomes you.

We recognize these projects are hard to fund,

reach the levels of sustainability you desire.

and carefully create design solution to match

DIRECT-TO-OWNER ENGINEERING

your budget.

We helpin existing unlockbuildings why sustainable is to address We work and on process design improvements aging infrastructure, to identify energy conservation and solve operational important your project, thenmeasures, develop deficiencies. We recognize these projects are hard to fund, and carefully create design solution to match your budget.

WHOLE BUILDING COMMISSIONING | SUSTAINABILITY CONSULTING

Candice B. Rogers MBA, CCP, CxA, WELL AP, LEED AP BD+C

121 Old Lafayette Avenue Lexington, KY 40502 859.252.3047

paladinengineers.com