At Log Lunch on January 6th, Edward Brust Professor of Geology, David Dethier, spoke on the Kellogg House/future CES building project. Professor Dethier is the chair of the Kellogg House Building Committee. Kellogg House was originally built in 1794 and served as the home of the first four presidents of the college. Since then, the building has undergone many transformations, translocations, and changes in use. It can currently be found on wheels between Dodd Circle and the new Stetson Library as it lies in limbo awaiting its final resting place.
The challenge in the redevelopment of Kellogg House is balancing many interests: budgetary constraints, operational economy/net zero energy, being visually symbolic of the CES mission, capability to expand program, certification (LEED vs. Living Building Challenge), time constraints, historic preservation, simplicity of operation, and technological innovations. The building committee has focused on achieving four goals with Kellogg House: making it sustainable, educational, historical, and beautiful/beckoning. The first steps of the process of relocating Kellogg House involved deconstructing and recycling the Matt Cole Library attachment to the building. Deconstruction and recycling were found to be more economically-viable than demolition of both the Matt Cole Library and Seeley House.
To achieve the goals it has established and garner certification for Kellogg House, the building committee has developed strategies for energy use, water consumption, and food. Kellogg House will have two net metered systems that will harness solar energy: a photovoltaic array to generate energy and a solar thermal to provide energy for water heating. To achieve its goal of net zero water use, the building committee intends to minimize water consumption and treat wastewater through an as of yet undecided method. Porous concrete and rain gardens will also help achieve these goals. In regards to food, the committee will integrate permacultural practices throughout the site. Possible ideas for food grown include apples, blueberries, and chicken. While completed redevelopment of Kellogg House is not expected until mid-2013, the building committee encourages and desires any and all help, comments, questions, queries, and ideas for the project both during and after its completion.
Written by Brandon Abasolo ’13