UB’s Creekside Village Community Center: a study in energy efficiency By Donna Evans-Deyermond; photo by kc kratt. Students who live in the dorms at the University at Buffalo’s Creekside Village Community Center are fortunate to have access to one of Western New York’s first LEED-certified buildings (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) as their community center. This energy-efficient building containing a student lounge, offices, maintenance, and a mail center took some foresight on the part of the people in charge of developing UB’s built environment. “Green buildings will usually cost more initially to build, but over the life of a building the operational costs are lower,” says Michael C. Terranova, A.I.A, of Lauer-Manguso & Associates Architects, designers of the building. “And it’s not just the construction costs to consider; there is also a cost to get the building certified.” The Community Center features environmentally friendly materials (many of which include recycled content), non-CFC (Chlorofluorocarbons, which affect the ozone layer) refrigerants in the air-conditioning system, and low-VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds, which give off toxic gases) coatings for the walls and floors. For energy conservation, some walls were insulated by setting them low into earth berms, a decorative indoor pond contributes indoor humidity, and much of the outdoor lighting is powered by the sun. Special controls turn off the electric lights when no one is in a room and adjust the amount of light to the available natural light when rooms are in use. “Some energy-efficient buildings emphasize electrical savings while others concentrate on heating savings, so the initial costs vary from project to project,” Terranova says. “The Creekside Village Community Center is a combination of both.” Those of us who can’t afford the initial cost of LEED-certified construction can find the most bang-for-the-buck in Energy Star appliances, high R-value insulation, quality windows, water-saving plumbing fixtures, and efficient heating and air conditioning, Terranova says. “When the focus is on high-efficiency equipment and controls, you can ensure the building uses the smallest amount of energy while keeping everyone comfortable.” Back to the Table of Contents Back to Top