Perkins + Will, the architecture firm behind a new residence hall at Bridgewater State University, have attached an unusual provision to their green design: no mini-fridges or personal microwaves allowed.
Mini-fridges, Lloyd Alter writes, can consume 800 watts of electricity each. Perkins + Will will build communal kitchens for students living at George A. Weygand Hall in order to reduce the total amount of energy used to refrigerate or reheat food.
The architects’ restrictions on use accompany more traditional energy-saving design strategies, including a geothermal well system and automatic heating and cooling systems. “We’ve done our part,” Perkins + Will wrote. “Now it’s up to the newest residents of the building to hold the line!”
FULL STORY: If you want a green student residence, lose the fridge
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Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
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Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
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Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
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Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service