By fall of 2009, Huskies will be able to enjoy a more energy efficient Savery Hall.

The reconstruction of Savery, which was originally built in two phases in 1917 and 1920, is the latest in the series of building renovations known as the UW’s “Restore the Core” program, which focuses on the restoration of several UW buildings in need of structural repair. Previous renovations include Johnson and Raitt Halls.

“The University has a lot of buildings that were built in the ‘20s and ‘30s,” said John Palewicz, project executive of restoration. “They were really nice back then, and the outside still really adds to the character of the University. But on the inside, after about 80 years, they’re just not that great; inside Johnson Hall the pipes were so rusty, you couldn’t even drink the water.”

Departments located in Savery, such as the sociology and philosophy departments, have moved temporarily to Condon Hall.

“It’s a compromise that allows us to totally redo the whole building,” he said.

The “Restore the Core” project began years ago with the renovation of Mary Gates Hall, the old physics building. The UW convinced the state that several buildings were in need of repair.

“Being environmentally sensitive has become a major criteria,” said UW spokesperson Norm Arkans about the project. “They’re going in and re-doing the systems, turning them into 21st century buildings.”

Palewicz said that several changes are made to make the buildings more sustainable, including replacing the windows and removing the eroded coating on the exterior of the buildings.

“We make it more energy efficient by putting in new windows that look similar to the old ones,” he said. “There are now two layers of glass, and the new frames and glass are both insulated, so there’s less loss of heat.”

Materials that are removed from the building become recycled, as doors, steel and concrete are all re-sold or re-used. Low-flush toilets are also installed.

“This [environmentally sound renovation] is pretty standard,” Palewicz said. “We have better controls on mechanical and electrical systems, so it’s no longer like changing temperatures on a thermostat. Now they can be automatically controlled.”

Other changes include stabilizing the structure against earthquakes and opening up the natural ventilation of the building, allowing for less air-conditioning. Computer labs and classrooms, which both generate large amounts of heat from both machines and people, will be the only exceptions.

The restoration has allowed the UW to conserve many of its historical buildings, Palewicz said.

“The most environmentally friendly thing we’re doing is not tearing these buildings down, so they can be around for another 80 years,” he said.

[Reach reporter Arla Shephard at news@thedaily.washington.edu.]