Heat-preserving window placement, innovative insulation and a recycled water system make the construction of Blake Hall stand as one of the most sustainable projects Westminster has undertaken. The building reflects an expanding campus-wide commitment to environmental responsibility. Evident by spaced windows, unique lampposts and numerous green spaces, Westminster has invested significant effort in realizing its sustainable objectives.
The new Blake Hall comprises of various, built-in and sustainability-driven features. For example, the design of Blake Hall’s windows were a cornerstone to the building’s energy efficiency. The building’s architects studied how different window sizes and types would affect each classroom. They examined each room’s natural lighting, solar warmth and seasonal energy conservation, considering both comfort and sustainability. These architects ran a demonstration, a light study, that mimicked each room’s natural lighting conditions depending on which windows were used or where they were placed. A room’s illumination is a crucial factor in sustainable architecture; whether a building uses electric or natural lighting can significantly alter its environmental impact.
While Blake Hall still has electrical lighting, natural lighting can help diminish the use of electricity through other forms.
“They call it the envelope,” said environmental science teacher Caitlin Wilson. “It means the doors and windows and the building materials are all very well insulated, and there are no cracks or ways for the air to escape.”
Wilson suggests that, beyond its energy-friendly substitution for electrical light, natural light also helps insulate buildings, especially in the fall and winter seasons. By absorbing and preserving natural thermal energy, Blake Hall’s design reduces the need for electrical heating, further supporting sustainability by conserving electricity.
Blake Hall is also equipped with a detention vault that resides under Broyles Field. A detention vault is a large container that holds used water, which, in this case, is collected from Blake Hall and Broyles. Stored water will then be reused to irrigate the campus. Conserving water is a major undertaking for Westminster because it helps preserve the environment and lower the collective carbon footprint.
Sustainability initiatives are also seen throughout Westminster’s campus. Students walk under examples of these efforts every day. The outdoor lights scattered across campus were changed to more environmentally-friendly alternatives, appearing distinct from their old counterparts. Where the old lights pointed up into the sky, the new lights point down onto the pathways. Campus planners made this change because many bird species rely on the stars for navigation. By pointing downwards, these new lights avoid disrupting migration patterns by reducing light pollution and bird disorientation. The preservation of vegetation and wildlife is also emphasized in Westminster’s new architecture. Trees and bushes will be planted around the campus, providing local wildlife with new habitats to reside in.
“We focus on conservation of energy, conservation of water, and then the wildlife around us,” said Vice President for Finance and Operations Toni Boyd. “We began this campaign effort for all these new buildings in 2018.”
Westminster’s effort towards sustainability began with Hawkins Hall and will continue with Blake Hall, along with any future projects Westminster plans to undertake. Sustainability has improved each year with Westminster consistently expanding its use of sustainable building practices, paving the way for more environmentally responsible growth. Beyond benefiting the external world, green architecture also affects Westminster internally.
“It helps build a culture with young people showing how important it is to protect the environment and to give that little extra to help be sustainable,” said Eco Club member Lily Dennard. “I think it’s important to learn that at a young age.”
Even if kids only understand a small part of what sustainability means, that small amount of awareness can significantly influence their future life decisions, which will become increasingly important as global warming’s effects intensify.
Blake Hall marks another step in a long-term sustainability initiative that began with Hawkins Hall in 2018, as Westminster continues to expand its environmentally conscious campus. In addition to benefiting the environment, Westminster’s long-term sustainability initiative also spreads climate awareness to a generation of future leaders who will leave an impact on communities, industries and the planet as a whole.
Edited by Max Lin
