University of Louisville
ER-T2-3: Model Room in a Residence Hall

UofL's model Green Dorm Room opened in Louisville Hall in Fall 2009, but was first developed as a challenge to 10 students in Jamie Horwitz's Spring 2009 Sustainable Architecture course. At the request of Russ Barnett, director of research and development for the Kentucky Institute for the Environment and Sustainable Development, these students gave their input to design the room as a model of sustainable living on campus. Turning the students' conceptual design into an actual dorm room was made possible with a $5,000 grant from Arts and Sciences Dean Blaine Hudson. Certain features distinguish this room from any other on campus. These differences are much more sustainable and aesthetically pleasing: - The floors are made of bamboo, a faster-growing and more sustainable alternative than wood, synthetic flooring or carpet. - One wall is covered in clay, a natural building material which has insulating properties, improves air quality by catching dust, and is easier to repair and maintain. Large windows let in plenty of natural light, eliminating the need to use electric lights during the day. - A ceiling fan helps regulate temperatures more efficiently. - A low-flow showerhead and toilet, as well as an aerator on the faucet, has cut water use by about 50 percent. With high ceilings, large windows and the several distinctive "green" characteristics, the room is more like a modern, innovative, energy efficient living space than a typical dorm. Residents of the model green dorm room participate actively in the Housing Green Committee, act as sustainability leaders within the community, and welcome tours to demonstrate sustainable living principles. Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kn7Fw3Kd3GM Read more about the student design process at: http://php.louisville.edu/news/news.php?news=1374 Read more about the experience of living in UofL's model green dorm room: http://louisville.edu/uofltoday/campus-news/uofl-green-scene-living-green-and-loving-it