RT Park brings comfortable efficiency to building on St. Croix UVI campus

    RTPark’s 64 West Center building on St. Croix’s University of Virgin Islands campus is the first public building in the Virgin Islands to achieve LEED® Silver Certification. Officials were notified of the achievement by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) in August, according to Denise Kurg, RTPark’s Deputy Director of Facilities and Operations.

Touring the building recently one was not reminded so much of energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Instead, one was immediately struck by the building’s comfort – the building location, catching the easterly breeze, made it feel cool; the use of natural lighting in most spaces was restful for the eyes. All this was in the shelter of walls, roofs and windows that don’t attract heat.

What does this energy efficiency, renewable energy and comfort cost in a new building? Estimates are that construction costs for such a building compared to one that did not give any consideration to energy efficiency or the environment are an additional 20 per cent. But that bad news evaporates quickly. Projections show that those extra costs can be retrieved by energy bill savings within three years. After the payback period, the energy savings are pure profit.

RTPark’s 64 West Center achieved LEED certification by incorporating sustainable strategies throughout the project’s design, construction and operational phases, including energy, lighting, water and material uses, which in turn reduces greenhouse gas emissions, contributes to a healthier environment for visitors and tenants, and lowers costs.  The project included design features such as:

·       A north‐south orientation of the building’s main wing, to minimize southerly exposure and take advantage of prevailing easterly breezes

·       A light exterior color, to reflect daylight radiant heat

·       Storm water and rainwater management systems, to reduce facility water demands

·       Permeable pavements, vegetated conveyance swales, bio‐filtration, and underground detention in rain tanks

·       Underground cistern facilities, to collect rain water

·       Reduced energy demands, through solar water heating, natural day‐lighting, and high‐efficiency lighting and cooling systems

·       Renewable energy sources, including a roof‐mounted photovoltaic (solar array) system and wind turbine, reducing energy demand on utility power

·       The use of recycled and sustainable materials, including in kitchen and bathroom countertops, restroom partitions, and in furnishings and wood finishes

·       The use of polished concrete floors

·       The use of locally‐produced and procured materials, including landscape vegetation, concrete benches, and artworks

“RTPark’s 64 West Center was the first of what now are several sustainable initiatives underway on the campuses of UVI,” stated University of the Virgin Islands President Dr. David Hall.  “Environmental design and energy efficiency are key priorities for this institution because they are crucial to our Territory’s well-being and the promises of the future.”

“The 64 West Center project has fostered collaboration and visionary leadership from the moment design got underway in 2006,” added David Zumwalt, RTPark’s Executive Director.  “It changes the way buildings will be built in the USVI, and is a landmark for St. Croix and for the future growth of RTPark.”

The University of the Virgin Islands Research and Technology Park (RTPark) is an economic development entity operating under a legislative mandate, and policy guidance from the University of the Virgin Islands, to develop a technology sector in the U.S. Virgin Islands. For more information, visit www.uvirtpark.com.