| LawsonE 2004-10-16, 4:07 am |
| http://www.mum.edu/TheReview/#1
The Review
Vol. 20, #3, October 13, 2004
Copyright 2004, Maharishi university of Management
Seven New Residence Halls Soon, Design Conserves Energy
Construction of seven new "home-style" residence halls is scheduled to begin
this month, with installation as early as November. The new buildings will
each have eight bedrooms with private baths, as well as a kitchen and living
room.
The residence halls for men will be located east of the Men's Dome. Those
for women will be east of the Ladies' Dome in the open area between
Buildings 106 and 150.
According to design coordinator Terry Allen, these new homes for students
will have natural materials and may also use geothermal technology to
conserve energy. university officials hope to receive grants to fund this
system, which uses an electrically run condenser and pipes water through a
ground loop system.
The residence halls are being constructed from natural wood on a steel frame
and will use cellulose attic insulation made of newspaper and paper
products.
The Marmoleum flooring is made of natural raw materials including linseed
oil, wood pulp, and natural resins. Marmoleum has no adverse health issues
and is installed with solvent-free adhesives.
The university is also exploring the possibility of using bamboo flooring,
which is a natural and durable alternative to the limited global supply of
hardwood.
Nontoxic, biodegradable paint will be used. It is made from fewer than 250
chemical components, more than 98 percent of which are naturally derived
from plant sources and minerals and have been used for centuries or more.
This compares to the 10,000 chemicals used in conventional paints, many of
which are newly created chemical components with little research conducted
regarding their long-term effects on humans and the environment.
Natural window coverings will be used, and the possibility of solid wood
cabinets and furniture is being explored.
The new residence halls are being manufactured by the same company that is
building the homes for the Vedic Scholars in Maharishi Vedic City. They will
be built according to principles of Maharishi Sthåpatya Veda(SM) design,
thereby enhancing the health, happiness, and well-being of the residents.
Ms. Allen said that the students who will live in the dorms may be invited
to participate in the interior finish work, thereby saving money on labor
and allowing for the use of luxurious natural materials, such as the bamboo
floors.
|