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Through her research on sustainable residential remodeling, Diana Hasegan ’10 (Tirgu Mures, Romania) has put together a plan that will provide a green focus and structural upgrades for the off-campus living community Reeder Street Fellows.
Reeder Street is a student-run living group that promotes an atmosphere of social, personal, and intellectual growth on campus through weekly discussions, field trips, concerts, and lectures. Students are chosen through a competitive application process based on their intellectual interests and diverse backgrounds.
Hasegan, who is a Reeder Street Fellow, says the Green Reeder House Project would retain the group’s philosophy and selection process, but would change the focus to sustainability issues.
“The goal of my independent study is to transform Reeder Street into a sustainable living and learning community by both renovating the house to achieve green standards and educating the residents about green living practices,” Hasegan says. “The project tackles a real life problem in which it can make an immediate difference.”
Using U.S. Green Building Council guidelines, Hasegan has put together recommendations for structural improvements such as insulation upgrades, heating and cooling system upgrades, and a high-efficiency water distribution system. Other possibilities are a water runoff collection and reuse system and solar panels.
As part of the plan, Reeder Street Fellows would attend and organize discussions, field trips, and lectures dealing with green issues, as well as participate in recycling, composting, organic gardening, and reducing the use of non-recyclable items.
Hasegan, who is pursuing a B.S. in civil engineering and an A.B. with a major in economics and business, worked with Anne Raich, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering, as her adviser. David Veshosky and Art Kney, associate professors of civil and environmental engineering, also provided guidance.
“The independent study was a great opportunity to work on a topic of personal interest under the close guidance of faculty from the civil and environmental engineering department,” says Hasegan. “With Lafayette being a strictly undergraduate college, I benefited from the undivided attention of my professors. They were always available when unexpected questions arose and provided me with insightful advice to all the problems I’ve encountered.”
Hasegan says because the project is small in scale, it is a good way to test the process and feasibility of creating a sustainable living community. “If the project proves to be successful, it will set an example for other communities on campus and in the Easton community.”
Hasegan has presented the research at the Conference on Sustainability Opportunities sponsored by the Lehigh Valley Association of Independent Colleges (LVAIC) at DeSales University and the Lehigh Valley Green Building Forum Expo at Lehigh University.