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The Learning Gate Community School project is a 10 classroom 8,000 sf middle school addition to an existing campus, which earned LEED Platinum Certification. The school is designed around a unique curriculum that integrates nature, agriculture, and environmental responsibility into the classroom. The school used the construction of the green buildings as a learning tool for the students and continues to use it to teach their new students as well as the general public.
The classrooms are constructed using prefabricated 6" wood stud modules for quick site assembly. Once placed on their elevated foundations the buildings were insulated with R-30 Soy-Based spray insulation, walls are finished with 95% recycled content gypsum board, and the floors with "Cradle to Cradle" carpet tiles made from soda bottles.
Large insulated north facing windows allow for natural light, while dimmable T-8 fluorescent fixtures will automatically adjust to add additional lighting. The classrooms also utilize a High Efficiency A/C system, which dehumidifies both the fresh air and return air, allowing for smaller sized cooling units.
Rainwater is harvested for the flushing of 1.2 gallon per flush toilets, which will eventually be integrated into an on site "living machine" waste treatment center.
Performance:
- Irrigation system removed after plant establishment
- No potable water used for waste conveyance
- +60% Water use reduction
- +32% Energy efficient
- 8% On-site energy production with PV Panels
- Purchased Green-e credits for 70% of the building’s energy use
- +75% Construction waste diverted from landfill
- +20% Recycled content
- Over 20% of the materials located within 500 miles
- Views in 90% of spaces
- Enhanced Acoustical performance
- Control of lights and temperature in each space
Anatomy of a LEED School
Article about Learning Gate
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