Shaw selected as 'showcase' dormitory

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Holly MacDonald
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. (ACCNS) --  The Air Force Engineering and Construction Division selected two military construction projects to showcase the Air Force's success in areas of energy and sustainable development. 

A 144-room, three-story dormitory at Shaw, to be started this fiscal year, is one of those projects. The other is a fitness center at Tyndall AFB, Fla., to be constructed in fiscal 2008. 

"The selection of the Shaw dormitory as a 'showcase' reinforces Air Combat Command's commitment to sustainable design," said Col. Timothy Byers, ACC director of installations. 

"ACC leads the Air Force in designing and constructing energy efficient, high-performance buildings," Colonel Byers said. "We have the only Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certified project in the Air Force, and five more awaiting U. S. Green Building Council certification." 

Overall, the command has 21 sustainable military construction projects totaling $302 million, he said. 

On March 30, Shaw awarded an 18-month contract to Hitt Contracting to build the dormitory. It is projected to gain a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design silver certification upon completion. 

There are four LEED certification levels: certified, silver, gold and platinum. The certifications are awarded based on points for different sustainable qualities of the building. 

The Shaw dormitory is the first ACC project to gain LEED certification through energy credits, said Randy Jenkins, ACC Civil Engineer project manager. 

The big energy saver will be a geothermal heating and air conditioning system. The system will use 174 wells to circulate water underground, which uses less energy to convert the temperature to heat and cool the building, said 1st Lt. Robert Ulmer, 20th Civil Engineer project manager. The dormitory will also receive credits for high efficiency lighting and air handlers, he said. 

The dormitory totals 54,302-square feet. Each 132-square-foot room  will have a private bathroom. Four rooms will share a common area including a kitchen, laundry room and living room, Lieutenant Ulmer said. 

The actual ground-breaking date has not been chosen. However, a project usually begins within 60 days after the contract is awarded, Lieutenant Ulmer said.