Construction, Sustainability

During construction and renovation that has transformed Woodbury University's scenic campus, Woodbury has shown a commitment to sustainability.

Meeting Student Demand
The construction of new facilities for the School of Business and School of Architecture and renovation of Wilshire Hall are the result of student demand.  Woodbury has experienced significant growth during the past seven years, with enrollment increasing by 60 percent. The expansion is essential to ensure the continued growth and future success of the university -- one of Southern California’s first institutions of higher education and one of its best today.

Woodbury’s 22-acre campus is nestled in the foothills of the Verdugo Mountains.  While the university was previsouly able to make progress in using existing campus facilities to support enrollment growth and evolving student needs, additional buildings became a necessity.  The new facilities represent Woodbury’s dedication to providing the most advanced, modern educational facilities in a supportive environment that prepares students for professional and personal success.

“We are committed to building facilities that provide the best educational opportunities possible and will represent all that Woodbury has to offer to this community and region,” says Kenneth R. Nielsen, Ed.D., president, Woodbury University.

This initiative comes at a critical time in Woodbury’s long and successful history.  The university has achieved a prominent place in higher education in Southern California and is an important presence offering a unique educational opportunity to students. Woodbury’s vision is to give the best and the brightest from diverse backgrounds the best education possible, which means one that prepares them for success in the world they enter upon graduation. 

“This is what we must do to truly give opportunity, to really promise success.  It is our mission.  What distinguishes us and makes us more successful is that we embrace this mission with pride in knowing that we impact lives when and where needed most, and, by doing so, impact not just individuals but entire families.  We change the course of families for generations to come,” says Dr. Nielsen.

Fundraising
The projects were funded through a $27 million campaign that included bonds along with the generous support of alumni, foundations, area corporations, and other friends.  And, thanks alumni and friends, Woodbury met the $400,000 Kresge Challenge. “The Kresge challenge is about encouraging participation, and the success of this challenge demonstrates the commitment of Woodbury alumni and friends. Thanks to all of you, we now have facilities that provide the best educational opportunities possible and represent all that Woodbury has to offer to this community and region” says Dr. Nielsen.

The Kresge Foundation's grant is just one large grant Woodbury received in the past 12 months. In addition to the Kresge gift, Woodbury received a $750,000 grant from the Fletcher Jones Foundation, $500,000 grants each from the Ahmanson Foundation and Weingart Foundation.


A Commitment to Sustainability
The new School of Architecture facility supports Woodbury’s “problem-based learning” framework, providing class space, small group space for collaborative work, and individual studio space. The building also includes laboratory space so that students can experience the latest in fabrication technologies such as 3D milling and 3D printing. The new School of Business provides the necessary space for seminars, teleconferencing, and consolidation of classes and faculty now scattered in various buildings on campus, as well as The Fletcher Jones Audtorium.

All of the projects were completed with an emphasis on sustainability. Consider the following:

School of Business

• Rubber Wall Base & Flooring: Burke Mercer & Johnsonite
• Rubber is a renewable material/resource with a functional life of up to 30 years.
  Indoor quality benefit: (No toxic off-gasing/VOCs) and comfortable under foot
  Easy to maintain; Low life-cycle costs
• Carpet Tile: Interface, ‘Cotswold’ & ‘Stroud’ with GlasBac RE tile backing
• Recycled content: 20% Post Consumer, 40% Post Industrial, 3% Renewable Materials
  Improved Indoor Air Quality- Low Emitting Materials
  Sustainable: Washable, cleanable, replaceable, and directionless
• Solid Surface Plastic Laminate: Avonite ‘Studio Collection’-White Sands
• Recycled content: Post-Industrial material, made from reclaimed solid surface from plant, contributing to goal of zero waste from manufacturing facility
• Tack Surface: FORBO ‘Bulletin Board’ panels
• Natural, Renewable Raw Materials: Made from Linseed oil, flax, jute, wood flour, cork, and rosin
  Improved Indoor Air Quality- Low Emitting Materials
• Acoustic Wall Panels Maharam ‘Parallel’
• 88% post-industrial & 12% post-consumer recycled polyester maharam ‘solo’ fabric wrapped panel material, 93% post-industrial

Studio Building

• Multiple building components are left exposed to reduce the amount of finish materials required.
• 100% of the concrete floors are exposed. 100% of the structural CMU walls are exposed on the exterior. Approximately 30% of the structural CMU walls are exposed on the interior. Approximately 40% of the structural metal pan ceiling is exposed (interior and exterior). Most of the steel columns and beams are exposed. Much of the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing and sprinkler systems are exposed.
• Lighting and mechanical systems adhere to the California Energy Code’s Title 24 standards for energy efficiency (required by code).
• Exterior circulation areas to reduce amount of conditioned interior space.
• Exterior sheet metal sunshades at south façade to reduce direct sunlight and glare inside studio areas.
• White cap sheet at roof to reduce heat island effect (required by code).
• DuctSox (a fabric air dispersion system) in open studios to replace 65% of the traditional sheet metal ducts.
• DuctSox is considered a “green” product because it improves air quality with more effective air distribution (uniform discharge), protects against mold growth (air porous fabric eliminates condensation). Allows for easy duct cleaning (remove and launder), and reduces shipping and jobsite waste (lightweight, finished product out of box).
• TimberTech wood composite board at exterior guardrails.
• TimberTech is manufactured with recycled wood waste that would otherwise go into landfills. Water is recycled during the manufacturing process through a closed loop water system. Scrap products are reclaimed and put back in the manufacturing process. Wood composite products offer a durable and low-maintenance alternative to natural woods.
• Kone EcoSpace elevator to utilize energy-efficient technology.
• The elevator consumes approximately half the energy of conventional traction machines and approximately one third the energy of hydraulic machines. It requires no oil, removing the risk of soil contamination that is a potential threat in hydraulic systems. 95% of the materials in the elevator are recyclable.
• Reztec rubber flooring in the elevator cab.
• Reztec flooring is made from a blend of recycled tire, post industrial waste and colored rubber granules.
• Echo Eliminator acoustical panels at studio areas and exhibit space.
• This acoustical panel is made of a recycled cotton material that is fiberglass free and recyclable.
• Bobrick Sierra Series toilet partitions in all toilet rooms.
• The Bobrick partitions are Solid Color Reinforced Composite (SCRC) panels containing 15% recycled content and 15% post-industrial waste (by weight). 70% of the SCRC panel material is composed of organic cellulose or wood fibers and are derived from sources which qualify as “rapidly renewable,” reducing the use and rate of depletion of finite raw materials and long-cycle renewable materials. SCRC panels do not contain urea-formaldehyde, helping to reduce the quantity of indoor air contaminants. The Sierra Series partitions use local materials and are manufactured in North Hollywood, CA, reducing the impact from long-distance shipping to the site.
• Daltile Natural Hues Eco-Body ceramic tile on the toilet room walls.
• This ceramic tile has a recycled “green” clay body containing 17% post-consumer recycled glass and 17% post-industrial discarded grinding paste. The color glaze is water based and no solvents are used, eliminating the potential for emissions of volatile organic compounds during the manufacturing process.
• Dual-flush flushometer at all water closets to reduce water usage.
• Pushing handle up provides reduced flush of 1.1 gpf and decreases water volume by 30%. Pushing handle down provided full flush of 1.6 gpf.
• Richlite natural fiber composite panels and countertop at utility sink areas.
• 60% of the raw material used to manufacture Richlite is derived from certified managed forests. Richlite uses a phenolic resin and the finished product is formaldehyde-free.
• Forbo linoleum resilient tackable surface material at bulletin boards.
• The tackable surface is produced from renewable, natural materials: linseed oil, granulated cork, resin binders, ecologically responsible organic pigments and burlap (backing).

In addition, other sustainable design features include:

• Lighting in most of the fixtures are T5.

• Storm water mitigation, there are bioswales in the parking lot to minimize storm water that goes into the storm drains.

• Glazing: all the windows are double pane and have high performance glazing that maximizes daylight transmission and minimizes heat gain and heat loss in winter. We will get the specific glass.

• Sunscreens minimize heat gain

• Low water use irrigation systems.

• Low flow toilets.

• Building insulation complies with the new title 24.

• The ceiling tiles have recycled content.

Bio swale-environmentally friendly
Forces waste water/rain water to percolate through a high density plant material that leeches out some of the contaminants and pushes all of the water into the ground. There is no storm drainage or sewage.

Irrigation system
The system is zoned so that light water need plants are all together so that over-watering is limited. Most of the plant material is native or highly adapted so that after the establishment period they will need little supplemental watering. Which, in Southern California, that means 2-3 days a week maximum.

DG patio area
Natural substance that is used in place of traditional hardscape materials. It is much more porous and allows for water to percolate through the soil instead of going to the storm drain system.

Parking lot trees
In the areas where this was possible, trees were installed in the parking lots and along walkways to reduce the amount of heat emanating from these areas.

For more information about Woodbury’s “Initiative for the Future,” please contact Richard M. Nordin, vice president, University Advancement, at 818.252.5212 or richard.nordin@woodbury.edu.