The Union Design Committee focused their meeting Thursday night on sustainability, particularly water usage, as they forged ahead with plans for the new south campus union.
With the demolition of Union South set to begin early in 2009, the design committee has been working vigorously to ensure the new building is environmentally sound.
Union designers have struggled with the construction of an environment-friendly building while reducing the water consumption. The group attempts to design according to the strict guidelines of LEED, an environmental design green building rating system. At the meeting, directors discussed the benefits of implementing a single flush over a dual flush on an environmentally efficient toilet.
According to Daniel Cornelius, the vice president for Project Management, water use is a serious issue in Madison.
We don't have enough [water] and we're using too much,"" he said.
According to a Wisconsin Union PowerPoint, the breakdown of water in the city is due to the hydrology of the Madison Area Deep Spring on the Southwest side of Lake Waubesa.
Union South directors are currently working to identify sources of locally produced and recycled materials to continue their production of a ""green"" building, but it has come with significant costs. Cornelius said lingering issues remain on the budget, which is over by at least $1 million.
According to several students on the design committee, the first and foremost item to keep in mind about the new building is that is should cater to the needs of the students.
Liz Novy, a student member of the design committee, said building for the future is an important factor in the construction.
""I think that since budget is the main problem right now '¦ focusing on the technology that gets the most bang for you buck is important, but also paying attention and making sure we don't preclude any technology is important, too,"" she said.
The design committee will spend the next few weeks focusing on the interiors of the building, beginning with another meeting Oct. 13.
