UT School of Nursing and Student Center

Lessons Learned

Integrated design: The design process began intuitively and became increasingly scientific; sketches and working models developed the initial concept, while scientific modeling tools refined preferred schemes. The fabric shading system on the east windows was a result of this process, demonstrating the influence of science on design.

Regional issues of LEED: The team pursued natural ventilation as a design strategy, based on the client’s interest in both the benefit and the LEED point. However, due to the hot and humid Houston climate, the benefits may not be worth the cost or effort.

Materials: The project was very successful in incorporating new and reused materials from within the region. The lesson learned was to recognize the amount of time and energy required of the entire team—the design team, suppliers, and construction team—to document products and materials.

Packages: The project was separated into two major packages (core and shell and tenant finish); while expeditious, this separation hindered true integrated design and construction.

Precision: Integrated design insures precise coordination between design and construction. However, in instances where coordination was imprecise, the impact was magnified into other disciplines and trades and more difficult to resolve than in traditional buildings.

Flexibility: During the design process the Texas legislature mandated increased enrollment in nursing schools statewide. The actual full-time equivalent for the new building grew by 20% because of this decision. Flexible building elements, such as the raised floor and demountable partitions, allowed for revisions to the interior design to accommodate the higher population even before the building was completed.

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Our thanks to the ENERGY STAR program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and to the U.S. Department of Energy, and to BuildingGreen, Inc. for hosting the submission and judging forms.

For more information about the AIA/COTE Top Ten Green Projects, contact AIA/COTE. For help on how to use this Web site, contact .