Lewis Hall is a one-story, earth-sheltered, 14,484 square foot "green" high-performance building, named in honor of Congressman Jerry Lewis. The building is located just north of the Parrish Courtyard of the Stauffer Science Center.
The building contains a central courtyard, crowned by a space-frame trellis, while the roof and most exterior walls of the building are covered with earth and native planting materials. The structure consists of poured-in-place concrete for the floor, walls, and roof.
The building houses 3 classrooms, 2 GIS labs, 2 computer labs, 1 project studio, 13 faculty offices for Environmental Studies and the GIS Department, 4 research offices for the Center for Spatial Studies, two operations hubs/reception areas, a small conference room, a Paleoclimatology Lab, a work room, and an open office configuration of work stations for research staff and student interns. The 'GeoLounge' was configured in 2016 to create an open meeting and presentation space. All classrooms, studios, and labs are "smart," with the latest audio-visual and wireless computer technology. Occupation of the building began in early September, 2005.
Design and construction conformed to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) requirements for Green Building Certification Version 2.1, earning Lewis Hall a Silver Level certificate. A few of the environmental performance indicators evaluated are erosion and sedimentation control, alternative transportation options, stormwater management, heat island effect, water efficient landscaping, CFC reduction, storage and collection of recyclables, low-emitting materials, and recycled content. The building utilizes energy efficient design and a small photovoltaic array which generates a total of 9.4 kW. The space frame over the courtyard is designed to support additional modules, particularly as translucent PV technology becomes cost-effective. Additional green features include:
Erosion and sediment control
Water efficient landscaping and plumbing fixtures (e.g., low flush toilets and waterless urinals)
Bicycle racks
"Green" roof design appropriate to arid climates
Demolition and building material resource reuse and recycling
Recycled carpeting
Native plants and decomposed granite covering building exterior
Use of nontoxic glues and other materials to protect indoor air quality
Extensive use of natural daylighting
Certified wood (50% of wood based materials)
Integration of indoor-outdoor environments through placement of a courtyard (featuring a dry stream bed and native plantings) and an amphitheater designed for use as an outdoor classroom