Environment friendly dorm available Aug. 2009

A computer generated model of the Olympia Ave
student housing facility project. (Photo by Louise
Sweeney)
Construction of WSU’s newest student housing facility is growing visibly in stature as the superstructure and a crane can be seen on the horizon from Stadium Way.
 
A facility on the WSU Pullman campus is slated to be complete in August 2009. The hall on Olympia Avenue will house approximately 230 residents. It is the first student housing facility constructed on the Pullman campus since 1972.
 
The facility is anticipating a LEED Silver rating and will offer several innovative “green” features such as geothermal heating and cooling, natural day lighting, sun shading devices to minimize heat load, site restoration with natural habitat and vegetation, water efficient landscaping, stormwater collection and reuse for irrigation, a high reflective roof to reduce heat island effect, reduction of light pollution, and water-use reduction in the building. Builders will also be using regional and recycled materials and certified wood where possible.
 
The ground floor will contain a central two-story lounge with a gas fireplace. The main entrance, classroom, meeting room, media center, and other public functions will be designed to encourage student interaction. These spaces will open to a large outdoor plaza on the west side, and gardens to the east. Every floor will be equipped with a central lounge focusing on the main plaza below, as well as a study lounge facing exterior views of the surrounding area. Each floor will include a lounge/study/kitchen/laundry area that is a common place to gather.
 
Construction began in May 2008 with a total project budget of $26,000,000.
 

(Photo by
Bob Hubner)

(Photo by
Bob Hubner)

(Photo by
Bob Hubner)

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