ENERGY:  Southern sloped facade allows winter sun through windows, clerestories and monitors for solar gain and daylighting.  The slope is calculated to prevent direct penetration of sunlight during cooling season, while allowing daylighting.  The small east and west facades  minimize exposure to morning and afternoon sun (the most difficult to control from an energy conservation standpoint).  The northern facade presents a low and streamlined face to northwestern prevailing winds and utilizes the sheltering effects of natural plantings.

  

LIFE CYCLE ISSUES:  Projected energy savings are anticipated to be 30 to 40 percent less per year than a conventionally designed facility.  This is in line with results calculated by previous clients with larger school systems and conventional designs with which to compare their new passive solar schools.  The cold rolled steel frame and the galvalume coated steel siding and roofing was selected for its economy, ease of construction, durability and its recyclable nature    

 

RESULTS FOR SUSTAINABILITY:  This project represents a reordering of priorities rarely seen in design and construction.  If all projects were built with a similar degree of concern for the environment and conservation of resources, our world would make considerably more sense.  Priced at a cost of less than $60 per square foot, this building proves economy and passive solar design can be achieved.  Its built reality will influence the memories of every child enrolled in the school and hopefully spark its own contribution to the revolution of attitudes toward the conceptual priorities of the constructions of the future.