New Physical Plant Streamlines Operations at University of North Carolina

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — The recently completed $5.5 million facilities management building at the University of North Carolina Asheville is expected to achieve significant energy savings each year for the school, officials say.

“By using a variety of green products, the building will save the university up to 40 percent annually on energy costs,” says Charles Brown, principal and director of sustainable design at Raleigh-based firm SFL + a Architects.

The building, which is 27,700 square feet and sits on an eight-acre site, incorporates several sustainable features to minimize site impact and optimize performance.

The new physical plant at the University of North Carolina Asheville incorporates geothermal heating and cooling technology, energy-efficient HVAC systems and solar panels to reduce energy use.

Geothermal heating and cooling technology, energy-efficient HVAC systems and solar panels combine to reduce energy use, while a green roof and rainwater cistern act as a stormwater management system.

Located at the edge of campus away from the academic and housing core, the new building is a replacement facility for the previous facilities management building, which had been in use since 1963 and was no longer up to state standards.

The project is one of the 15 state-constructed facilities included in the state Office of Energy’s pilot program, which was created using the North Carolina High Performance Building Guidelines for Public Facilities.