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Ferguson Science Building Nears Completion
Story and photos by Josh Doby
Click photos to enlarge
Nearing Completion, April, 2008
Winter, 2008
Under construction, Fall, 2007
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The new Ferguson Math and Science Center at Mars Hill College is nearing completion and will be dedicated on Saturday, June 7, at 11 a.m.
Math and science teachers must move out of Wall and into Ferguson by early June. At that point, work on the renovation of Wall Science Building will begin.
Ferguson contains a large lecture room, a greenhouse, and 75 percent more lab space than Wall.
What makes this building stand out is its energy efficiency. Ferguson uses geothermal energy for all of its heating and cooling needs.
The building uses pipes pushed deep into the ground to circulate water to help save energy. The temperature underground is always 56 degrees Fahrenheit. It normally takes much more energy to cool water during the summer and warm water in the winter because of variation of temperature. By pumping the water underground, the water warms or cools to 56 degrees without energy exertion. And when the water is used in the building, it only has to be warmed or cooled a few degrees.
Previously the buildings at Mars Hill, such as Wall, were heated by water heaters fueled by natural gas, transforming water into steam that heated the buildings.
When students return in the fall, Ferguson will be open for classes.
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