Sundt is helping San Diego set the bar for LEED green building with the new Aztec Student Union at San Diego State University, slated for completion in the fall of 2013. The original 43-year-old student center was demolished in August to make way for its replacement – a project approved by students and awarded to Sundt two years ago. The architect is Cannon Design.
The $104 million, three-story union will accommodate 30,000 students across 205,582 square feet of space; making it twice the size of the one that stood before it. It will serve as the university’s hub for meeting, socializing and studying. Additionally, the union will feature dining options, retail space, 14 meeting rooms and a fitness center.
Keeping in line with sustainable construction practices, Sundt will recycle and reuse nearly 80 percent of the materials from the original building for this project. The new student union will also boast the latest in green building features, including:
- Solar panels to convert sunlight to energy
- Rooftop vegetation garden to lower greenhouse gas emissions
- Underground water storage tanks to recycle water run-off from storms
- Radiant flooring system of concrete structural slabs to provide heating and cooling mass
- Pervious paving to reduce water run-off and pollutants
- Natural lighting to minimize dependence on artificial lighting
- Operable windows to increase ventilation effectiveness and control
When finished, the new facility will be the first and only LEED Platinum certified student union in the California State Universities system, using 40 percent less energy and water than other similar buildings. To get project updates and see live footage of construction, visit www.aztecstudentunion.com.