Carbon-neutral McCall: Developing a zero energy campus in McCall, Idaho

At the University of Idaho an interdisciplinary group of faculty and students has created a design-build workshop sequence focused on the development of a carbon-neutral learning environment at one of the university's field campuses in McCall, Idaho. The new sustainable design curriculum, in the form of interdisciplinary workshops, aims to design and construct buildings at the field campus that will eventually embody the sustainable values taught at the campus. The inaugural design workshop in the sequence began this semester. This paper will focus on a number of critical issues regarding the inaugural design-build workshop experience. First, it will present student findings as to the carbon-neutral material and building technology possibilities in this region. Next, it will outline our findings regarding carbon-neutral building performance, with an emphasis on passive techniques, for the intermountain west region. Finally, the paper will give an overview of the interactive process and compromises that take place when client's needs and desires are measured against material and formal needs with regard to carbon neutral construction and performance.