Portland State Stephen Epier Hall

This comprehensive design team planned a system to collect rainwater from Epler Hall and neighboring King Albert Hall. The water is collected from the roof and ground level plaza area. Rainwater is then conveyed through downspouts to river rock splash boxes at ground level. The river rock splash bed delivers the water to small decorative conveyance streams made up of exposed Belgium blocks. The water meanders through the block pattern as it travels across the plaza, dubbed “Eco-Alley.” The rainwater is channeled into raised planters which double as bio-swales. Some of the water is used for the decorative vegetation in the planters but the majority of the water filters down into an underground stormwater storage chamber. Irrigation water is ready to use. Toilet water gets pumped into a mechanical room inside the Hall, goes through an additional sand filter, UV disinfection, and then gets pressurized. Estimations conclude nearly 110,000 gallons of potable water are saved annually. This equates to be an annual savings of nearly $1000 for water/sewer cost for College Housing Northwest and ultimately, PSU students and Oregon Taxpayers. Designers incorporated many other environmentally friendly and sustainable features into Epler Hall. Wind cooled stack ventilation, passive solar heating and solar lighting, heat recapture, and providing for alternative transportation. Because of the successful design, Epler Hall has received a Silver Rating from the United States Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standard.

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