A comprehensive market study and master planning process have identified the Living & Learning Center (LLC) as the next major project in UW-Baraboo/Sauk County expansion.

• The LLC will be a transformational facility, integrating a residence hall with regional conference center in a pedagogical manner that emphasizes environmental issues and sustainability.
   
• The building will be designed and constructed to exceed the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) platinum standards. 

• The goal for the LLC is to achieve a zero net energy status. The building will include such innovative features as a green roof and a living machine.
   
• As a demonstration facility, the LLC will inspire organizations with similar interests or projects to attain even greater performance.

Community Impact:

• The LLC will provide students with affordable housing that enhances their social and educational growth.  Programmatic highlights will include: principles of environmental stewardship, preserving beauty and natural resources, and bringing global concepts to our region.

• The LLC will provide a truly unique learning experience, functioning as a living laboratory that demonstrates alternative and renewable energy programs for businesses, civic groups, and students of all ages.

• The LLC will be a landmark of sustainability, making the campus and surrounding community a regional “hub” for innovation, education, and sustainability. Businesses, civic groups, and people of all ages will be able to come to an innovative facility that demonstrates alternative and sustainable energy programs. 

• The local economy will experience a positive economic impact as a result of the year-round operations of the unique and innovative residential and conference facility.

Design Highlights:

The LLC will make use of high quality, lasting, and natural building materials that reinforce the campus's connection to landscape.

• Outdoor spaces will include multi-level patios, turf block paved surfaces, seating areas, stairways, ramps, bridges, walkways, trellises and overhangs. Stone landscape elements will be designed to tie the buildings to the landscape, and thematically recall the indigenous glacial erratic on the site.

• Stormwater management will be integrated with the landscaping. Reclamation of stormwater for on-site irrigation is also a goal.
   
• The design concept and location take advantage of the significant grade change to allow sightlines from the building to the south facing view shed while minimizing the impact on the view of other nearby buildings. 
   
• A green roof on the west end of the building will serve as a unique and beautiful gathering space. Setting the building partially into this hillside location results in a design that takes advantage of environmental conditions for solar energy and geothermal equalization.
   
• The conceptual floor plans are the result of extensive consideration of the various users groups that will interact inside and outside the building.  Issues of security, collaboration and synergy, privacy, convenience and energy efficiency all influenced the preferred design concept.