Belk Hall earns rating of two Green Globes

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

The University’s Belk Hall achieved a rating of two Green Globes from the Green Building Initiative’s Green Globes for New Construction program.

A rigorous program used to advance and certify a building’s environmental performance and sustainability, the Green Globes are determined through an on-site assessment by a certified third party. The rating demonstrates “excellent progress in the reduction of environmental impacts and use of environmental efficiency practices.”

Mike Lizotte, University sustainability officer, said, “With this latest award, UNC Charlotte is demonstrating leadership in constructing green buildings that make state operations more efficient, protect the environment and improve living conditions for our students.”

Belk Hall is the first state-owned building and sixth overall to earn Green Globe certification for new construction in North Carolina. It is the fourth certified green building on campus with four others receiving LEED ratings from the U.S. Green Building Council (EPIC and UNC Charlotte Center City are LEED Gold certified, and the Bioinformatics Building and Miltimore Hall are LEED Silver certified).

A number of individuals contributed to this first-time achievement, including Brian Kugler, senior project manager in facilities management; John Storch, associate director for operations, and Ned Williams, assistant director and facility planner, Office Housing and Residence Life; the designer, Clark-Nexsen; and Edifice Inc., the contractor.

A 426-bed residential building, Belk Hall opened in August 2013. The University demonstrated that the facility exceeded many aspects of national construction industry standards. According to the Green Building Initiative, the building had an 86 percent energy performance reduction.

Other notable features include a white roof to promote indoor cooling and energy-efficient windows that draw daylight indoors. Several types of energy-efficient equipment were installed, such as sensors that power down when an area is not in use.  

Outdoor landscaping around Belk Hall is designed so that watering is not required. The University earned Green Globe rating points for the use of recycled materials in furniture, carpets, metal studs and tile, as well as features that improve resident comfort, such as noise reduction and outdoor views.

“We are very happy to have been part of a team that was able to be a first in North Carolina,” said Jacklyn Simpson, associate vice chancellor for student affairs and director for housing and residence life. “This building will serve our students well  for years to come and to be able to do so in an environmentally friendly way makes it all the better.”