Brown Is Green

Brown University demonstrates its commitment to promoting campus environmental responsibility and resource conservation. Brown Is Green (BIG), established in 1990, is Brown’s educational and advocacy program which links student research and educational efforts with administrative offices. BIG is a cooperative effort by all departments, staff, students, and faculty, and establishes the goal of implementing programs that reduce the environmental risks associated with university operation. Building design and energy efficiency are among BIG’s top projects. Student research is utilized by administrators for the purpose of furthering Brown’s commitment toward environmental stewardship. The BIG website has extensive research and information on the energy efficient technology employed at Brown.

About Brown's MacMillian Hall and environmentally responsible building design:

In one of the newest architectural additions to Brown University, environmentally responsible design methods were employed to ensure that the construction of the buildings minimizes the environmental impacts of the construction process. Duncan MacMillian Hall houses the Geology, Chemistry, and Environmental Science programs. Like Mount Holyoke’s Kendade Hall, one special requirement of the building is the need to vent air from hundreds of laboratory workstations. The flow of conditioned air through a research and teaching facility is one of the greatest sources of energy consumption. The amount of energy required in this single process alone has historically made such structures the largest energy consumers on campuses worldwide and indeed it is a significant concern at Mount Holyoke. That high energy consumption signals the potential for significant savings and indeed is an area Mount Holyoke could seek to improve. At Brown’s MacMillian Hall, in order to enhance energy efficiency, control mechanisms were installed at each possible stage of the air management system in the building. The goal is to produce conditioned airflow at levels that are a direct function of the demands of current use, thereby eliminating waste. In addition to maintaining individual levels of airflow to workstations and research hoods, the system also continuously balances air pressure for the building as a whole. Therefore, a significant saving is possible through control of the airflow through each work area. Mount Holyoke should look to continue researching the methods and devices for energy efficient air ventilation used at Brown’s MacMillian Hall with the goal of developing a technique for maximizing efficiency of our own system.

The choice and placement of windows is also essential to the initiative at Brown to establish energy efficient building systems. Because the air exchange through hoods and workstations drives the size of the cooling system, the decision was made to optimize use of daylight lighting in laboratory and hallway spaces in order to save on electrical lighting costs. A double-glazed, low-emissivity (low-e) window with an air gap between panels was used that had high light transmission to maximize the level of natural light entering the building. Sensors were installed which automatically dim fixtures near windows when natural lighting levels are sufficient to meet the needs of users and defined in the original parameters of the building. Motion sensors directly linked to the lighting systems in selected areas also serve to cut down on electrical use. Additionally, manual switches were installed so occupants can turn off the lights themselves and assume an active role in reducing electrical consumption.

These are just a few of many projects, programs, and initiatives occurring at Brown University. Brown Is Green should be used as a valuable resource for the Mount Holyoke College community in regards to research, technology, implemented programs, and more simply, advice surrounding issues of energy conservation, efficiency, and building design. The student research programs and educational initiatives at Brown are also something Mount Holyoke College should consider exploring further for ideas on implementing/improving our own educational programs.