|
Green schools have continued to gain popularity
since some of the first LEED-certified green schools
were constructed in 2002. For some, the concept of
green school design is still considered “extreme,”
costly and unnecessary. It is time we start moving
away from the notion that green school design is
unnecessary and toward the idea that it is a
practical and responsible approach to school design.
We need to work collectively in shifting green school
design from “extreme” to “main stream”
or “mainstreme” as we have named it. In this issue of The Schooldesigner, we offer
practical advice on how
to launch green schools into the mainstreme.
 |
|
|
Green School Design
“Extreme” to “Mainstreme”
One "green piece" at a time
By Joel K. Sims, AIA
SHIFTING AWAY FROM THE EXTREME
Without being critical of their efforts, many
professionals leading the charge in green design are
the extremists. It’s an “all or nothing” focus.
Receiving the highest LEED rating is the goal. Getting
recognized for achieving LEED certification is equally
important. However, when design meetings start with
conversations about “grey water, waterless urinals
and grassy roofs, there is a danger that supporters
will wane or disappear altogether before they can
identify with a concept they can support. So, while
LEED certification is right for some clients, it may too
much of a leap for others. This raises the question:
Where should we focus?
MOVING TOWARD THE MAINSTREME
While a minority of professionals are promoting totally
green schools, there are a majority of people who are
apathetic toward the idea. It’s a harsh reality, but
not everyone cares about the environment and
saving the planet. Some people don’t want to be
labeled as tree huggers or overzealous
environmentalists. But green school design makes a
lot of sense for a lot of reasons. By focusing on more
than saving the environment, the concept has the
potential to spread at a faster rate to the populous.
Green design saves money, and a lot of people like to
save money. It also creates a better learning
environment that helps student performance
increase. Who in the world opposes better student
performance? And what better way to learn than to
have a school teach students about the
environment, technology, and science through the
way it is designed? Most people care about the
education of our young people. So, focus on what
will help your next project move toward becoming
green, understanding that a darker shade of green is
better than no green at all.
ONE GREEN PIECE AT A TIME
While our natural resources are being conserved
through LEED-certified schools, perhaps the greatest
impact on the environment will occur if every school
project (renovation or new construction) includes at
least some green features. Let’s do the math: Out of
approximately 115,000 schools in the United States,
less than 50 are LEED certified. So, that’s a lot less
than 1 percent of all schools. On the other hand,
what if we can impact 10 percent of all existing
schools? If each of these projects contain at least
10 percent of the features that make a
building “green,” where will that get us? It should
give us 11,500 schools that have 10 percent green
or 1,150 schools that are fully green. So, we can
make great strides if we all do just a little. Listed
below are some ideas to get you started.
1. Create Energy-Efficient Designs
There are more opportunities for implementing green
elements while designing a new school than when
renovating an existing one. Two key factors include
selecting the best site for the school and situating
the building with the best orientation. Locating the
school to take advantage of solar orientation and
natural breezes can have a great impact on energy
consumption. In some climates, taking advantage of
natural ventilation can have a positive impact on the
occupants of the facility, as can be seen in “It’s
A Breeze.”
2. Use Green Building Materials
By utilizing non-toxic, recycled and renewable
materials within the school, it becomes a healthier
place to learn. Fortunately, many manufacturers
have taken steps to make their products more
environmentally friendly. For instance, carpeting has
changed through the years.
While the nylon in carpeting has always been
relatively easy to recycle, manufacturers have
worked to improve the backing to make it more
sustainable and easy to recycle.
Rubber flooring is a green product, with no VOCs, no
off-gassing, and no harmful components. Linoleum
flooring, often mistaken for vinyl flooring, is made of
natural materials and is biodegradable. Obviously,
selecting the right flooring for the specific area of
your school should take into account foot traffic and
durability requirements.
An example of the use of linoleum in a school can be
seen at “Tasty Palette.”
3. Recycle During Renovation Projects
One example of dealing with waste management is
curtailing the enormous amount of refuse that
overburdens our landfills. During a renovation project,
many products can now be recycled. However, if you
don’t outline your plan in the drawings and
specifications, don’t expect it to happen. I recently
observed first hand a renovation project that
included more 30,000 square feet of ceiling tile that
was discarded and hauled to the land fill rather than
recycled. The solution? Include in the specifications
that the contractor is responsible to recycle the
ceiling tiles and provide certification that it was
done. The cost is negligible in most situations.
However, the contractor has to know ahead of time
so his demolition crew knows not to just pile them in
the dumpster. For a great specification to include in
your next renovation project see the Armstrong
Ceiling Systems Recycling Program
Specification.
4. Rethink Mechanical Systems
The days of slapping unit ventilators into every room
of a school are hopefully coming to an end. At a
minimum, a comparative report should be prepared by
an experienced engineer showing various mechanical
system designs and the life-cycle cost of each.
There are numerous energy-efficient systems that
can be utilized within a school. Geo thermal systems,
although not right for every situation, are gaining
popularity in various pockets of the country. An
example of a school that utilized a geo thermal
system can be seen at the Designer Element
entitled “In The Loop.” There is also an
informative
geo thermal video that can be viewed by clicking on
our link entitled “Thermal Under Where?”
5. Create a Unique Learning Tool
Perhaps the most exciting aspect of green schools is
their tremendous potential as awesome learning
tools. By exploring a curriculum around the green
school concept itself, students get a first-hand look
at the positive effects of environmentally sound
architectural design. As a result, the school can
become a huge learning lab that spurs the students’
imagination and curiosity. The Designer
Element “Rock On” shows just one example
of a design feature that becomes a learning tool. The
end result of using green design as a learning tool is
a generation of students who have learned good
habits from the beginning about being wise stewards
of the environment.
6. Utilize Natural Daylighting
As outlined in our October newsletter, providing
windows within schools make them safer learning
environments. With regard to green design, adding
windows and other forms of natural lighting reduces
utility costs and improves student performance.
However, just adding windows is not enough. Careful
attention needs to be paid during design so that
features such as proper shading, insulated glass, and
even solar panels are incorporated.
“Sunnyside Up” and “Sun Bathing” are two examples of
proper daylighting design. In addition, adding natural
lighting can significantly reduce energy
consumption.
7. Accomplish a Lot With a Little
The great thing about adding a “green piece” is that
it almost always produces multiple results. For
example, the water collection system designed for
Roy Lee Walker Elementary School also works as a
learning tool in helping students understand about
conservation as well as irrigation. As seen
in “Reigning Concept,” students can enter
the school
each day and monitor the water level. Many of the
Designer Elements highlighted in this newsletter
accomplish multiple results as well.
The ideas listed in this newsletter just scratch the
surface (yes, it’s a green surface), and our goal is
that more will be done by more people in the K-12
school sector. We are seeking to help at
Schooldesigner.com by adding the “green piece”
section to our website. Look for more ideas in the
future as we post additional “green piece” elements
from our members.
|
|
|
|
|
LEED for Schools
by Neil R Young, LEED AP
LEED (Leadership in Energy Environmental Design)
was developed by the United States Green Building
Council (USGBC) in order to establish practical and
achievable goals when designing sustainable
buildings. Launched in 2001, LEED gave its first
school certification in 2002 to the Goodling
Environmental School.
The USGBC has created a number of standards for
new buildings, existing buildings, and developments.
Their newest, LEED for Schools, is currently being
developed in order to address the unique issues that
arise when designing schools. According to Lindsay
Baker, LEED for Schools Program Coordinator,
LEED
for Schools is scheduled for release in February
2007.
According to USGBC, the benefits to obtaining LEED
certification are numerous. Sustainable schools
promote a healthy environment for children who are
more vulnerable to poor indoor air and light quality.
Because sustainable buildings are cleaner and less
toxic, LEED-certified schools have better faculty
retention, improved student performance, and higher
attendance rates. LEED-certified buildings are, on
average, 40 percent more efficient, which
significantly reduces operating costs. The public
recognize the benefits of green buildings as well and,
in general, districts with green schools have better
marketability than those without.
When LEED for Schools becomes available, designers
and school officials alike will have access to a wider
variety of resources, templates, and services specific
to K-12 construction in order to help with obtaining
certifiable sustainable designs. Keep in mind that
high-performance “green” schools start with a good
design. Schools looking to build a LEED-certified
school need to first contact a LEED Accredited
Professional (LEED AP), who understands the
specifics of green design. The LEED AP will help guide
both the district and the design team in achieving an
efficient, healthy school design.
|
|
Be Greener,
|
|
