The Mary M. Hooker Environmental Studies Magnet School in Hartford, Connecticut opened back in 1952 and provides practical environmental education for K-8 students. The school is about to undergo a two-year renovation that will seek a LEED Gold rating from USGBC. Designed by BL Companies, the expansion will include a 30-seat science thereater, a greenhouse, an acquatics lab, and feature a working ecosystem in the lobby. BL’s design also includes a butterfly vivarian- one of just a few in the Northeast.
November 17th, 2008 | Stephen Del Percio | 0 comments | ContinuedGreen Schools
Second Building at Willow School in Gladstone, New Jersey Earns LEED Rating
The private K-8 Willow School in Gladstone, New Jersey has already received a LEED Gold rating from USGBC for its main building. Phase II of the school’s green construction efforts included a 13,000-square-foot structure dubbed “the Barn,” which includes a middle school, dining hall, and performing arts space. Not to be outdone by the main building, the Barn recently earned a LEED Platinum rating based on green features that include recycled Douglas fir and terrazzo glass tile recycled from airplane windshields.
November 11th, 2008 | Stephen Del Percio | 0 comments | Continued
Calhoun School, Green Schools Alliance, & FXFOWLE Offering Green Roof Open House
The Upper West Side’s Calhoun School at 433 West End Avenue (at West 81st Street) was the first school in New York City to install a green roof. Its Green Roof Learning Center, which opened back in 2005, was part of a four-story, FXFOWLE-designed addition to the school’s main building. On Thursday, October 23, Calhoun is offering a free tour of the Learning Center and roof; the school estimates that the roof prevents around 26,000 gallons of water runoff per year. Representatives from FXFOWLE will also be available to discuss how the roof was designed, constructed, and maintained, as well as the Center’s vegetable garden, weather station, and worm composting facilities. The Green Schools Alliance (of which Calhoun is a member) was created by schools and requires potential members to sign a climate commitment pledge in order to join.
October 20th, 2008 | Stephen Del Percio | 1 comment | Continued
First Avenue District School in Newark, New Jersey Earns Green Award of Merit
The First Avenue District School in Newark, New Jersey recently earned an Award of Merit from New York Construction magazine in connection with its “Best of ‘08″ awards program. The elementary and middle school was designed by Paulus, Sokolowski & Sartor (”PS&S”) and includes green design features that would qualify it for 31 different LEED credits, though Newark chose not to pursue formal certification (citing cost considerations). Some of those green features include daylight and occupancy sensors, passive solar design, and efficient, full spectrum lighting. Locally sourced and recycled-content materials were used during construction, while other LEED-standard features include light pollution reduction, water-efficient landscaping, low-VOC paints and sealants, and a construction waste management program. The school’s common areas- including the theater, gym, and cafeteria- are heated and cooled by a 480-foot-deep geothermal system.
October 10th, 2008 | Stephen Del Percio | 1 comment | Continued
Center for Lifelong Learning Hopes to Become First LEED Platinum School in Garden State
Designed by USA Architects of Somerville, New Jersey, the 90,000-square-foot Center for Lifelong Learning will accomodate 175 autistic and disabled children aged 3 to 21 and is aiming for the first LEED Platinum rating of any school in the state of New Jersey. The $23 million project just recently broke ground in Sayreville and should be ready in September of 2009. The school will offer 24 classrooms, as well as physical therapy, gymnasium, and aquatics space, which will also be used by Sayreville’s Brain Injured Children’s Swim program.
September 24th, 2008 | Stephen Del Percio | 0 comments | Continued