Water Efficiency The Wolk Center has invested in high-performance water fixtures that will save one-third of the annual water usage for the facility. Monroe Community College has also designed an exceptional pond system to manage the quantity and quality of its storm water for the Wolk Center and all of its Brighton Campus construction. This system increases on-site filtration of storm water, improving water quality, and also reduces the quantity of water leaving the site, lessening the impacts to municipal systems.

Energy Efficiency The classroom and office building are projected to save 18.4% annually by incorporating improved levels of building envelope insulation, high-performance window glazing, exterior solar sunshades, high-efficiency lighting, daylighting harvesting controls in the lounge area and occupancy sensors to reduce HVAC use. The center has also installed a white roof system, known as a “Cool Roof”, to lessen the detrimental environmental impacts of “Urban Heat Island Effect” caused by dark roof surfaces.

Wolk Center Recycling Program This program allows occupants to sort paper, cardboard, glass and metal from waste materials, keeping recyclable products out of the waste stream. Approximately 10.7% of the total material cost for the project was comprised of recycled content, whereas 11.9% of the products used in the project were manufactured and harvested within 500 miles of the site.

Indoor Environmental Quality Volatile organic compounds are emitted as gases from certain products and are particularly noticeable in new construction. They can be odorous and irritating, but some of these airborne chemicals may also produce short and long-term adverse health affects. In the design of the Wolk Center, low VOC paints, adhesives and carpet products were specified with the intent to prevent indoor air quality problems from arising. Permanent entryway systems were also installed at each entrance of the facility. These slotted systems allow for drainage and cleaning underneath, helping to capture dirt and particulates at the entrance to the building where it is directly connected to the outdoors.