Ecovillage Dorms
Our Mission
We are Green Village and we have identified that universities and their students need to implement and use Ecovillage Dorms. Currently, the dorms at GVSU are a significant source of energy and resources. They are dark and dull and do not provide a good learning atmosphere for students. Green Village decided to take action so that educational institutions can lead the way in implementing sustainable living. As the Office of Housing and Residence Life of Grand Valley State University is committed to sustainability, we believe that it is time for not only the new buildings on campus to work toward becoming more sustainable, but it is also time to take a look at improving the older dorms. The older dorms on campus should be updated, with the a renewed focus on sustainability, increasing water efficiency, reducing energy consumption, and providing students with a positive learning environment. With improvements to on-campus living communities, we can work toward reducing carbon footprints and making university housing as sustainable as possible.
Prototype 1
Sustainable features to be added to pre-existing dorm buildings.
Bicycle racks covered with solar panels.
Rain water collection barrel. This can be used to water the garden beds and rooftop greenhouse. The dorm roof has a large surface area to collect rainwater with the help of stormwater retention roof gutters.
Trash, recycle, and compost bins.
Wheelchair accessible garden beds.
Prototype 2
Sustainable features to be implemented when building new dorms.
Building rooftop with greenhouse, solar panels, and outdoor seating.
Additional Features:
Windows on the staircases to the roof and windows of the rooms will allow for an abundance of natural light during the day.
Motion sensor LED lights and high-efficiency appliances.
Smart temperature controls and thermal mass walls.
Interior will be painted with low or no VOC paints to reduce the impact on air quality and allergy-causing toxins.
Water-conserving toilets, faucets, and shower-heads.
Sustainable floorings such as cork flooring, which has multiple functions as it provides insulation against heat and cold and is naturally repellent to bugs, mold, and mites.
Prototype 3
The addition of "tiny cargo homes" near the SAP. Similar to the building of new dormitories, these tiny homes would house 1-3 people each.
Rainwater collection barrel.
Large windows to let in lots of natural light. Shades for added privacy.
Garden bed area with outdoor staircase to the upstairs.
Solar panel roof top.
Can be placed close to one another to create the "dorm style" living without the large building.
The pros of a tiny house village:
The use of large windows to reduce the need for artificial/electric light.
Reusing old shipping containers as the exterior foundation for the tiny home.
Solar panel roof to provide energy for the tiny home.
Composting toilets, water-conserving toilets, faucets, and shower-heads.
Bins collect rainwater and gray water which is then recycled and treated for use (drinking water, household uses, or irrigation water for the green roof).
Meet the Team
Please reach out with any questions or comments!
Casey
Mattson
Blair
Winkler
All designs created in SketchUp. Protoype 1 and 2 used Alexie Dorm 2 by Michi R. Prototype 1 waste station was created by Gitma and named Isla Ecológica. The outdoor seating area in prototype 1 is called SENTRALE alfresco by adzillah2038. The wheelchar garden is called Huertos Lúdicos Gitma by Gitma. The solar cover over the bike rack in prototype 1 is called Modern Solar Shading by Simon V. The Prototype 3 used 2x40ft cargo container terrace house by BK T. Vertical Tank by Benjamin M. in prototype 1 and 3. Solar panels used in prototype 2 and 3 are by Carlos A. B. In prototype 2 Bambutec Int. Gmbh created the Greenhouse modular. The piknik tables in prototype 2 were created by Creafort and called Brone PIKNIK.
