Sustainability has been part of the design process from the very beginning. The Design team balanced the desire for sustainability, budget, and site constraints.
The following sustainable components are included in the project:
- The building envelope is designed to exceed energy code minimums and is optimized for thermal comfort and efficiency of the mechanical systems.
- The roof membrane has been specified for high albedo (to reflect most of the sun’s energy instead of absorbing it in the form of heat, thereby lessening the load on the mechanical system)
- A roof that is structurally designed to sustain solar panels. PDHP is separately exploring solar panels.
- LED lights throughout
- Finishes and healthy materials with high recycled content and low/no volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) have been specified throughout the building interior and exterior.
- Water-efficient plumbing fixtures
- Daylighting
- A translucent sandwich panel system has been incorporated at the gymnastics gym clerestory at the tallest portion of the building to provide even light while reducing glare and maintaining the thermal performance of the building envelope.
- Efficient mechanical units, high-efficiency roof-top air handlers with enthalpy wheels and heat recovery to the extent possible within the budget for the project
- Incorporation of native plants to increase biodiversity, rainwater absorption, and provide a learning environment
- Reuse of existing parking and drive areas to reduce overall site impact
- More compact building area with multi-use flexible spaces which leads to a gain in previous lot coverage (less overall impervious than existing)
- Reusing onsite soils where possible
- Minimal tree removal to areas disturbed by building demolition
Other efforts that will be considered during bidding:
- Electric car charging stations
- Bird-friendly window detailing
- Permeable pavers
- Mineral wool insulation is a carbon-neutral material that can be safely returned to the earth after the useful life of the building.
