SLAM-Designed Rutgers University Richard Weeks Hall of Engineering Receives LEED Gold Certification

Glastonbury, Conn., December 10, 2019 —Completed in August 2018, the new Richard Weeks Hall of Engineering at Rutgers University on the Busch campus, has recently received LEED™ Gold Certification from the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). The 106,000-SF, four-story facility offers a state-of-the-art learning and research spaces designed to bring students, faculty and industry together to pursue new solutions and technologies in the areas of sustainability, energy, and advanced manufacturing.

“This building demonstrates the University’s commitment to sustainability and will serve as a benchmark for future projects. The School of Engineering has a modern facility that promotes the building as a working lab, actively engaging students in discovering innovative solutions that will transform the field of engineering and manufacturing on a local and global scale,” says Gregg Bergmiller, LEED AP, a sustainability coordinator of The S/L/A/M Collaborative.

This recognition acknowledges the many sustainable design features that are incorporated into Weeks Hall’s innovative learning environment, including:

• Energy cost savings of 29% through solar orientation and superior envelop design. Mechanical systems include active chilled beams, ventilation with 100% outdoor air with energy recovery wheel and demand control by occupancy and carbon dioxide sensors.
• Energy efficient LED lighting with automatic lighting control utilizing daylight photo and occupancy sensors.
• High performance fume hood with occupancy and sash monitors use a fraction of the energy of standard fume hoods.
• A 38% reduction of potable water use.
• The diversion of 97% of construction waste from landfills.
• A commitment to density and connection to local services.
• Storm water is managed for quantity and quality control.
• Facility is located next to the campus transportation hub for easy access to local buses.
• Features bicycle racks and showering/changing facility.
• The envelope consists of a combination of local brick veneer and high recycled content metal panel over 6″ of closed cell spray foam insulation including metal stud isolation with high performance curtain wall and spectral selective
• Locally harvested FSC-certified wood for millwork and doors.
• A green roof, structural measurement sensors, and a computer-accessible lighting display for student projects that transform the building itself into a “living lab” for teaching and research and collaborative opportunities.
• An education program that promotes sustainable stewardship.
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• Weeks Hall of Engineering is an open and flexible facility that features flexible learning laboratories for advanced manufacturing and sustainable resources and systems.  The students have hands-on access to facilities dedicated to rapid prototyping, pilot manufacturing, urban and coastal water systems, intelligent transportation systems, and more.  The building includes three smart classrooms, collaborative workspace, dedicated student space, and advanced technology integration.

The New Jersey Advanced Manufacturing Institute (NJAMI), established by Rutgers, also has dedicated space in the facility to distinguish and elevate the state’s historic manufacturing profile. Students have the resources to develop and test innovative devices in areas of information technology, renewable energy, sensing devices, and health life sciences.

ABOUT SLAM

The S/L/A/M Collaborative (SLAM) is a national, multi-disciplinary design firm offering architecture, planning, interior design, landscape architecture, site planning, structural engineering, pre-construction, with construction services offered throughout the New England region.  Our market focus is on higher education, K-12 public/private education, healthcare, corporate, athletic and recreation sectors. Our infinite drive to unlock and solve complex design problems renders creativity in design to enrich lives. SLAM has offices in Atlanta, GA, Boston, MA, Glastonbury, CT, Los Angeles, CA, and New York, NY. For more information on SLAM please visit www.slamcoll.com.

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