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Upcycling Pallets for Outdoor Projects: Pros and Cons

By on April 17, 2013 in Adaptive Reuse, APUS Sustainability Efforts, Sustainability General

by Sarah Myers

American Public University System is no stranger to adaptive reuse (or “upcycling” on a rather large scale).  Etter Hall, the Samuel Washington House, and Gray Hall are three excellent examples of the university lovingly and efficiently renovating older buildings into office space.  On a smaller scale, APUS supported my tiny house project for my Master’s thesis where I was able to upcycle many different things for a new purpose.  Perhaps the most daunting endeavor of the project was turning old pallets into hardwood flooring. … Read the rest

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APUS Receives Historic Preservation Award from PAWV

By on October 19, 2012 in Adaptive Reuse, APUS Sustainability Efforts, Current Events, Sustainability in Higher Education

by Beth Gray

The Preservation Alliance of West Virginia (PAWV) held its 2012 Annual Conference in Jefferson County September 27-29 and more than 120 people attended.  Participants visited several of the most historic sites in the county including several of the Washington family homes and historic Harpers Ferry.  A variety of valuable and engaging presentations were also offered to attendees during the three-day conference.  The conference also featured several hands-on workshops including a historic masonry workshop with experts from the National Park Service Historic Preservation Training Center. 

 

American Public University System has made its headquarters in historic downtown Charles Town, West Virginia since 2002 and, as a result, has been diligent with its own historic preservation efforts.  We have written about APUS’ historic preservation and adaptive reuse practices on this blog (see our April article, “Adaptive Reuse at APUS is a Necessity and a Priority”) and were therefore happy to provide an exhibit about our efforts for the PAWV conference. 

We were also honored to receive the Community Preservation Award from the PAWV during the conference’s awards banquet.  Dr.… Read the rest

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What Exactly Does It Mean to be a “Green Business?”

By on June 26, 2012 in Adaptive Reuse, APUS Sustainability Efforts, Green Economy, Green-Building, Renewable Energy, Sustainability in Business, Sustainability in Higher Education

What is a “Green” Business? by APUS

… Read the rest

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APUS Officially Opens West Virginia’s Largest Solar Project

By on April 23, 2012 in Adaptive Reuse, APUS Sustainability Efforts, Renewable Energy, Sustainability in Higher Education

American Public University System (APUS) is celebrating another milestone in its journey toward achieving greater sustainability – the official opening of its 1,660 panel solar array.  The array is the largest in West Virginia and is a testament to the school’s commitment to sustainability. Providing more than 480,000 kWh of electricity, the array will provide approximately 50 percent of the total energy needed to power the university’s newest addition to its Charles Town campus, a 105,000-square-foot green building still under construction.… Read the rest

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Turning Brownfields Green

By on April 9, 2012 in Adaptive Reuse, APUS Sustainability Efforts, Brownfields, Green-Building, LEED Building, Sustainability in Higher Education

by Angela Crone

We’ve been talking a lot lately about the adaptive reuse and green new construction on the American Public University System (APUS) campus in Charles Town, WV. So, yes, we know that many of the buildings are green retrofits, that solar installations are estimated to offset 350 tons of carbon each year, that the appliances are Energy Star certified, and that the faucets and toilets conserve water.  But, did you know that both the recently constructed Academics Center and the under-construction Finance Center are built on what has been designated a “brownfields site?” 

The U.S.… Read the rest

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Adaptive Reuse at APUS is a Necessity and a Priority

By on April 2, 2012 in Adaptive Reuse, APUS Sustainability Efforts, Sustainability in Higher Education

by Beth Gray

When American Public University System (APUS) re-located its headquarters to historic downtown Charles Town, WV in 2003, the university’s leadership was mindful of the abundant and rich history of the area.  Rather than purchase land outside of the city center to build a standard office building, the university system undertook a comprehensive adaptive reuse policy.  To date, the university system has “recycled” 5 historic buildings in Charles Town’s downtown area for office space.

What is most notable about APUS’ adaptive reuse policy in Charles Town is the dual nature of the undertaking. … Read the rest

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