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Project : An Analysis Of The Academic Support Center

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This new addition of The Academic Support Center aimed to provide a sustainable and flexible space that responded to these different flows of pedestrian and vehicular traffic. The building has several exterior spaces designed for the circulation of such traffic. One of the processions begins at the parking lots located to the south and extends through the drop off zone and into the eastern entrance of the building. A covered path along the south wall leads to the west and into the main campus. This path gives pedestrians passing through a chance to be exposed to a sustainable building that is lined with a variety of native plants that work with the system. Another path starts at the parking to the north and leads into the plaza in front of …show more content…

The appearance of the ‘dry clock’ fluctuates during the different wet and dry seasons of South Florida. This gauges and demonstrates the volume of storm water that is harvested by the site per season. The water that is harvested is then used throughout the Academic Support Center to flush the toilets and urinals. To further the sustainability of the water management system, the project uses high performance plumbing that reduces the sites water consumption by 36% per year. Features like these are responsible for helping the building score so high in the water management category of the LEED Gold certification. Other systems were also implemented throughout the building to create a flexible and sustainable environment. The Academic Support Building uses a combination of L.E.D. lighting, daylight sensors, efficient HVAC systems, and occupancy sensors to achieve its low environmental impact. These technologies and other techniques helped reduce the cost of its annual energy consumption by 20%. The classrooms were made to be adaptable and flexible by the use of moveable partition walls supplied by the Hufcor Company. This system allows the building to change and adapt efficiently as different needs and programs arise in the future. This proactive approach of designing the building with its’ potential future needs in mind will greatly reduce its long term operational cost and environmental impact. The Academic Support Center not only uses specialized systems and

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