Photo credit: Lara Swimmer

Overview

• Location: Eugene, OR
• Building type(s): Higher education
• New construction
• 137,000 ft2 (12,800 m2)
• Project scope: 4-story building
• Urban setting
• Completed October 2003
• Rating: U.S. Green Building Council LEED-NC, v.2/v.2.1--Level: Silver (33 points)

This state-of-the-art teaching facility replaced an outdated building and connected three existing buildings to form an integrated academic center. The site design redefined the open space network at the north end of the main campus quadrangle without compromising pedestrian circulation along its axis.

The facility declares the business school's commitment to training future business leaders in the principles of sustainability. Its soaring atrium lobby is ringed by a café, public meeting rooms, interview rooms, specialized learning centers, and administrative offices. The wings extending from this core house flexible tiered classrooms, case study rooms, faculty offices, a 283-seat auditorium, and a 238-seat lecture hall.

Environmental Aspects

As the first building to implement the university's progressive Sustainable Development Plan, Lillis became the benchmark for future campus projects. Faculty and students were adamant that the building showcase green practices.

The design team used a holistic approach to evaluate total energy savings instead of just improvement over code. Energy decisions were based on lifecycle costs, and the budgeting process reflected lifecycle benefits.

Exterior shades, interior lightshelves, automatic blinds, and occupancy sensors maximize glare-free daylighting; the need for electric light is nearly eliminated during the day, when most classes are held. Interior finishes were screened for recycled and recyclable content as well as low chemical offgassing.

Taking advantage of Eugene's moderate climate, the project is 80% naturally ventilated. The building's east-west orientation, operable windows, exterior shades, and thermal mass, as well as its ventilation system—which uses external louvers, ceiling fans, and a stack effect in the central atrium—keep the building cool in the summer.

Four types of photovoltaic arrays generate power for the building. Highly visible photovoltaic cells in the central atrium's south-facing glazed wall generate electricity while reducing glare and heat gain. As the largest installed array of glass-integrated photovoltaic panels in the Northwest, this feature is a source of great pride for the university.

Owner & Occupancy

• Owned and occupied by University of Oregon, State government
• Typically occupied by 102 people, 40 hours per person per week; and 30,500 visitors per week, 6 hours per visitor per week

Building Programs

Indoor Spaces:

Classroom, Cafeteria, Lobby/reception, Circulation, Electrical systems, Mechanical systems, Office

Keywords

Integrated team, Design charrette, Green framework, Simulation, Green specifications, Commissioning, Performance measurement and verification, Operations and maintenance, Transportation benefits, Indigenous vegetation, Efficient fixtures and appliances, Efficient irrigation, Drought-tolerant landscaping, Glazing, Passive solar, HVAC, Lighting control and daylight harvesting, Efficient lighting, On-site renewable electricity, Durability, Benign materials, Recycled materials, C&D waste management, Connection to outdoors, Daylighting, Natural ventilation, Low-emitting materials