Growing a Green World

As some of you might know, Verno Solutions filed a prove it project with UMBC in an attempt to install much needed shades for the student commons. The finalists have been an announced and we regret to announce that our project was not selected as part of the finalists. Although prove it money will no longer be available for use to install shades for the windows on market street in the commons we still hope that money will eventually be found to make the necessary improvements to control solar heat gain.

Verno Solutions remains committed to improving UMBC and the environment and will continue to work with any interested parties to mitigate human caused damage to the environment, including but not limited to climate change, air and water pollution, and habitat destruction.

In a celebration of green building, green concepts, and a brand new dorm we have proposed a liquid desiccant waterfall for UMBC’s newest dorm construction. Patapsco Hall is to be a LEED certified building (at least Silver) in compliance with the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment that Dr. Habrowski has signed.

Our proposal will use a liquid desiccant system to dehumidify the air instead of using the cooling coils of the HVAC system. The liquid desiccant system is designed to add an aesthetic feature to the building as well, in the form of an indoor water feature.

A liquid desiccant system captures water from the air using a solution that has a more negative water pressure than the air, forcing the water into solution until saturation. The water saturated solution can then be heated to expel the moisture outside of the building through the use of captured waste heat or solar water heaters.

This waterfall distinguishes this dorm from all the other dorms on campus, displaying energy efficient technology that modernizes the building. Large amounts of glass and shade structures also allow an open window area in the lounge of the building without having damaging effects on the building’s energy efficiency.

Visit the Patapsco Addition website for more information as well as virtual renders of what the project will end up looking like.  http://www.umbc.edu/reslife/news/pat_addition.html This project will be UMBC’s first LEED certified project and will also include improvements to the residential area, including a volleyball pit between Chesapeake and Dining hall as well as a Basketball court between Dining hall, Potomac and Back Road.

We will be presenting our LEED Innovation & Design project for UMBC’s Patapsco Hall Addition tomorrow, in Harbor Hall’s multipurpose room. Come join us! Food & refreshments will be provided, courtesy of UMBC Residential Life.