NAC|Architecture - Sustainability: K-12 School Projects: Architects, Seattle, Spokane, Los Angeles, Denver

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Sustainability: K-12 School Projects:

Wilson High School, Tacoma Public Schools, Tacoma, Washington: Wilson has been recognized as the first high school in Washington state utilizing displacement ventilation. Combining passive exhaust of classrooms on both levels with interior light wells balances the natural light flooding the learning spaces and allows natural convective forces to reduce required fan power. Multiple advantages accrue to the students and staff at Wilson in the health benefits of 100% fresh air, a very quiet mechanical system, and the teaching and learning benefits of abundant daylight. The school also enjoys significant energy and financial savings as a result of an efficient ventilation system. As ventilation air is exhausted, it passes through high-efficiency heat exchangers that extract heat from return air to temper the incoming fresh air without mixing. This all-fresh-air system yields superior air quality while reducing energy consumption. The design employs a displacement ventilation system. The fresh air is supplied at the base of the casework and drawn by convection through vertical daylighting shafts at the back side of the classrooms. Displacement ventilation continuously supplies 100% outside air for improved indoor air quality. The system was integrally designed with a comprehensive daylighting and shading strategy, maximizing the benefits of displacement ventilation.

Eastgate Elementary School, Bellevue School District, Bellevue, Washington: The design of Eastgate Elementary School focused on creating a strong connection with nature. All of the public spaces benefit from natural light; as people move through the school, they continually have views to the courtyards and the tall trees bordering the site. In addition to visual contact, the design seeks to create a beneficial relationship with its natural setting through building systems that conserve energy and preserve the environment. Due to the high energy efficiency of the design, it was granted the “Designed to Earn the ENERGY STAR” status from the US Environmental Protection Agency. This is a 63,000-square-foot replacement school in an established neighborhood. The topography creates a bowl shape that is tipped toward the street with trees and hillside wrapping three sides and an open, welcoming frontage along the street. Care was taken with the siting and layout of the building to preserve the character of the site, minimize excavation, and lay out a building that supported a well-connected and collaborative environment in the school and a strong relationship with the natural setting throughout and around the building. The siting of the building was important to optimize the natural daylighting, preserve the natural setting around the building, and minimize the excavation and earthmoving. The building volumes open to the exterior allowing natural daylighting throughout the school that minimizes the need for artificial lighting. Natural daylight improves the quality of all critical task areas – including classrooms, offices, library, gym, and multipurpose room. Sunscreens and light shelves in classrooms optimize daylighting. A ground-source heat pump loop system eliminates the need for natural gas; the earth provides the source for heating and cooling. Innovative detailing at the foundation minimizes thermal bridging.

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