Green Schools

Third Creek Elementary SchoolStatesville, NC

LEED 2.0 Gold Project

Sponsored by:• U.S. EPA

• CHPSThe Collaborative for High Performance Schools

• USGBCThe US Green Building Council

• CEFPI The Council of Educational Facilities Planners International

• San Diego Gas and Electric

• Sustainaissance International

HPGS:High Performance Green Schools

High Performance Green Schools are energy, material and resource efficient facilities designed, constructed and maintained to optimize the health, productivity and learning potential of everyone who experiences them.

CostsHigh Performance Green

Schools balance the issues of price, cost and value.

Slightly higher first costs, when present, are offset by long term decreases in other expenses.

Long term ownership of schools underscores the need for life cycle cost analysis.

Benefits• Increased student

performance and staff productivity

• Reduced absenteeism

• Reduced operation and maintenance costs

• Improved public relations; less litigation

• Increased opportunities for

delivering effective educational

activities

Designing and Constructing HPGS

• HPGS are based on the tenets of sustainable design and development

• HPGS require a whole building integrated approach to design, construction, maintenance and operation

• HPGS adopt national standards as evaluation tools or building metric methodologies to measure and verify results

– CHPS, LEED, DOE, etc.

Measuring SuccessTraditional Areas of Interest

Reduction in utility costsReduction in O &M

Emerging IssuesIncreased test scoresReduced absenteeismImproved public relationsWillingness of School Districts

to repeat the process

• Effective construction waste

management• Maintain superior

interior air quality during

construction• Comprehensive

commissioning integrated

into the design and construction

process

Changes in Construction

Value Engineering

• Is overall project optimization based on a comprehensive understanding of a systems approach to integrated design and construction

• In HPGS value optimization is an ongoing process that begins in the programming phase and continues through occupancy.

Architecture as Pedagogy• HPGS integrate the physical

environment with curriculum development and course delivery methods. The physical facility becomes a surrogate text book or extension of the learning module.

• HPGS represent the best opportunity to illustrate the relationship between human ecology, natural ecology and building ecology.

• Education is enhanced and made more effective when students can modify their learning environment in meaningful, constructive ways.

Reactions “High performance facilities are a critical part of

the equation for improving student outcomes in this country.”

Jack LyonsEducational Facilities Program ManagerU.S. Department of Education

“I have noticed a big difference in my health since we’ve been in the new school. I had a lot of absenteeism – in fact I was hospitalized in the old building. In the new school, I won’t say I’m cured of asthma – I still have it and I still have allergies – but I really don’t have many problems at all and I’m feeling great.

Teacher at a new school in New Hampshire using the Advantage Classroom design concept.

• Involve as many (diverse) stakeholders in the design and development process as possible

• Identify the champions of each project and empower them to excite and lead others

• Use the project development period to conduct orientation and staff education about what HPGS are and the teaching and learning opportunities they represent

• Use new hires to strategically strengthen the HPGS approach to integrating the physical learning environment with curriculum development.

Preparing to use HPGS

More Information on HPGS It’s Everywhere!• Abundant web based information

Key words – high performance green schools, sustainable schools, ecological school design

Alliance to Save Energy Green Schools Project www.ase.org

Designshare www.designshare.com

• Trade journals

• Professional Associations and Organizations

AIA, ASHRAE, Department of Education, CHPS, SBIC, US Green Building Council, Savings by Design, CEFPI, Healthy Schools Network Inc. Rebuild America, Department of Energy, etc.

Collaboration

HPGS are a product of collaboration and open communication

• Between School Boards and the community

• Between the school community and the design and construction team

• Between existing authorities at all levels, code officials and agents of change

• Between current stakeholders and those who will inherit what we do or don’t do.

HPGS Applications

The goals and tenets of HPGS can be applied to a wide variety of applications

• K through 12• Institutions of Higher Learning• Private and Parochial Schools• Research facilities and corporate learning

centers• Daycare Centers• Vocational Education Centers and Trade

Schools

CHPS: Collaborative for High Performance Schools

The Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS, often pronounced "chips") aims to increase the energy efficiency of schools by marketing information, services, and incentive programs directly to school districts and designers.

The Collaborative's goal is to facilitate the design of high performance schools: environments that are not only energy efficient, but also healthy, comfortable, well lit, and containing the amenities needed for a quality education.

Lessons Learned

• CHPS has enjoyed continuous growth and increased levels of implementation since its beginning

• School Districts which have used the CHPS design and construction criteria have realized the full range of benefits addressed in the system

• CHPS is best applied in concert with other local initiatives that address a wider range of issues not included in the CHPS criteria.

LEED:Leadership in Energy & Environment Design

LEED is a building rating system based on metrics that evaluate these criteria:

Sustainable SitesWater EfficiencyEnergy and AtmosphereMaterials and ResourcesEnvironmental Quality

It is trademarked product of the US Green Building Council.

Influences

The goal of the of the US Green Building Council and the purpose of LEED is to facilitate market transformation of the built environment toward more environmentally responsible design and construction. LEED has become the de facto national standard for green building design.

Application Guide

The LEED for Schools Application Guide will use LEED for New Construction version 2.1 as a base. The purpose is to provide a user friendly numeric rating system that indexes a school project’s design intent against a familiar set of environmental design criteria.

Existing SchoolsLEED can be used to

rate new construction as well as additions and alterations to existing schools. For a current list of LEED rated schools that have received certification or which are in the certification process, visit the US GBC web site at

www.usgbc.org

Levels of Collaboration

The LEED for Schools Application Guide is currently being developed by a diverse group of advocates and practitioners familiar with the USGBC, CHPS, SBIC and the school design and construction industry. The committees are following the protocols established by the USGBC for the development of a LEED based product. Anyone wishing to know more about LEED for Schools is invited to visit the USGBC web site www.usgbc.org.

Thanks to our Sponsors:

• U.S. EPA

• CHPSThe Collaborative for High Performance Schools

• USGBCThe US Green Building Council

• CEFPI The Council of Educational Facilities Planners International

• San Diego Gas and Electric

• Sustainaissance International