GOING GREEN

Making the Change to Sustainability

Building Green Builds a Bejter Education
BY PAUL J.HOFFMAN

W

hen I was in school, green was ihe color of one of my crayons and the vinyl asbestos tiles on ihe classroomfloor.Today, the word "green" has a very different connijtation. The age of the green mtncnicni and susiainability has grown from a few concerned citizens, often labeled as "tree huggers," to a mainstream media focus wilh a rapidly growing, but large and passionate following. For ihc education world, sustainable practices can impact your students, parents, icaciicrs, staff, administrators and communities. In addition to healthier students and stair, significant long-icrm cosí savings are among the most exciting benefits thai ihc recipients of an environmentally friendly educational facility enjoy. Improved test scores, lower absentepism, better morale, greater community support, stronger teacher retention and certainly a more positive impact on the environment are all additional beneiits that school administrators can expect from a sustainable school. With so many benefits easily recognized, there's really no reason that school officials shouldn't take a close look al all of the sustainable options available

ti) them as they consider upcoming building projects. It is imporlani that new facilities lay the foundation for a great academic story while also being aesthetically pleasing, healthy and cost-sensili\'e. Additionally, you offer a valuable learning opporiunity to educate students about ilic importance of creating buildings that demonstrate care ibr our environment.

The Myth of Higher Costs tor Going Green
Educational latilutes often provide tlie greatest and most visible venues for applying sustainable design and construction principles. Unfortunately, many owners of educational iiicilities are leery of incorporating sustainable practices because they think it costs more to be green. It's a myth and simply does not have to be true! Two \Vi.scansin school districts have recently recognized the possibilities, while dispelling tbe myth that it costs more to incorporate green principles and practices. One Wisconsin school district, which covers 474 square miles, took on this challenge jusi a few years ago and has seen great success. Eagle River and its nearby communities in Wisconsin opened

a first-of-its-kind building which has already been producing bcncfiis ihal will continue to materialize ior many years lo come. Thanks to the visionary thinking ol' both the schooi board and admiiiistratiou of the Northland Pines School Oislrict, the much celebrated Noilhland Pines High School opened in 2006. It is the first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certilicd K-12 school building of any kind in Wisconsin and the original and cnrtenlly highest-rated Gold Certified public high school in the United States. This environmental designation— awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council iwww.usgbc.org) ({'rlifies that ihe sriiool uicfts lofty staiiriards for energy and water use, indooi- air r[iiality, recycling of building materials and other significant factors. By incorporating a wide span of sustainable princi|)les, the school provides a positive impact on the Northwoods region of the Badger State. A Sustainabilily and Energy Kl'iiciency Leadership Award from the Wisconsin Green Building Alliance at the 2007 Greening the Heartland Conference is one of ihc many award.s that the project has received. www.acteonllne.org 1 6

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Main Corridor (River CresI Elementary School) A large mural painted by sludenrs dominates the wall opposite tfie foyer. Poinled with tfie same low-VOC paints used ttiroughaut tfie srhaal, it depicts the history of Hudsan and the impartante of the river.

Foyer {River Crest Elementary S(hoot) Clerestory windows illuminate ihe foyer, mein corridoi, ond interior of the Guidonio Office. A gloss block partition is creatively used ta dromolicoily transmil some of this lighl into the foyer. The wove iheme Is carried onta the wolls and ceiling.

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Oil the Wistüiisin-Miniicsota bolder, ihr Hudson School District opened River Crest Elementary School in September of •jnOñ lo ;i hosi of ciitluisiastic lans. From ilic project's beginning, the district— led by Superintendent Mary Bowcnl:,g}icl)raatcn and the Hudson Board ol' l-ciucation - set itis siifhls on creating a •school tliat wuLikl be a model ol'sustainable design and practices not only for Riser Crest's students, but for its staff, the entire district and the greater community. "We originally envisioned River Crest as a teaching too! for our children, but rhiit (juickly expanded to include the sjafl", rhe scbooi district and nur community as well," said Bowen-Eggebraaten. "River Crest has become more than a sustainably dcsifrned school for us. It moved us to the next level and extended our thinking beyond the school walls and grounds." River Crest is currently a LEED www.ncteonltne.org registered project and is awaiting recognition Ibr the decisions that were made with the students, teachers and environmi-nt in mind. This project is hoping to become the lirst elementary school in Wisconsin certified at the Gold level using the new LEED for Schools rating system., and only the second school in the state (following Northland Pines) to achieve a Gold rating.

Sustainability Changes More than the Environment
Sustainable practices really do have an impact on more than just the environment. Green practices also ailect: Attendance: Making improvements in indoor air quality and lighting, outdoor daylighting, and other high performance (green) features have proven to increase productivity and reduce absenteeism. According to a U.S. Environmental Pro-

tection Agency report, the average worker spends almost 90 percent of his/her time indoors and building-related illnesses cost organizations tens of billions of diillars every year. Classroom Learning: Amtnig the many demands on school administrators, lest scores and broader academic learning are always of great concern. According to the Heschong Mahone Daylighting study (1999), there is a dramatic correlation between dayüt school environments and student performance, citing 26 percent faster progression in reading and 20 percent faster progression in math. Attitudes: An overall awareness of the cultural shifts that are taking place with students is always important. According to the 2006 Cone Millennial Cause Study, a national survey released in October of that year, a well supported case is made that Millenniais (those born between 1979
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Gymnasium (River Crest Elementary School] There me large clerestory windows in the north wall of the gymnasium, above and behind the bleachers. A movable woll enhances the flexibility of the space. The mapie floor is locally sourced, while the sub-floor is FSC wood.

Ciasiroom (Northland Pines High School) Classroom lighting was designed ta improve performance and reduce power tansumptian.

and 2001) are more responsive to those institutions which are environmentally sensitive. The research demonstrates that 83 percent of Millenials will place more trust in organizations that are socially and environmentally responsible. Staff: The new Northland Pines facility is already having an impact on students and staff: improved morale. A poll conducted by Mortgage Lenders Network USA found that 94 percent of Americans prefer to work in a Jíetting that is designed to be energy efficient and ecologically sound. When potential personnel are considering their employment options, features like natural lighting and a comfortable, well-designed work environment are important attributes that give sustainable schools the upper hand in successful hiring and retention.

Integration is Key to Making the Change
The integrated process used for predesign planning, design and construction services in each project is transferable to any region of the country. Working with the clients" desires, we achieved environmental standards which were met at a square-foot cost well below industry averages atid less than conventional construction. For example, Northland Pines was delivered for 23 percent below the national median cost of S150 per square foot for high schools built in 2006. It is vitally important that planners start working with the administration and school board members very early on and have the end goal in mind from their first interaction. We begin by viewing a project from its inception through a "green lens," incorporating sustainable goals and

principles. The end goal in both school examples was a high level of LEED certification in attractive facilities that serve as beacons for their communities. "Otir vision was to create a building that set a positive example of responsible sustainable design and construction solutions that provided a tangible learning tool to enhance our curriculum," says Northland Pines District Administrator Mike Richie. Through a value-driven process, Total Project Management: Vision Tallen to the Power of Green (TPM«), we integrated planning, architecture and construction management and a commitment to holistic sustainable design and delivery. A good exainple of this is the efficient planning and scheduling thai was done before the former Northland Pines was razed. By using an integrated www.acteonllne.org 1 8

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Commons (Nof rhiand Pines High Sthool) Nofthlond Pines' commons area piovides flexible space for a variely of u»s. Higfi ceilings, building orientalion and window selection are key companenls for propei nalural ligfiting.

In addition to heolthier students and staff, significant Long-ternn cost s a v i n g s are among the most exciting benefits that the recipients of an environmentally friendly educational facility enjoy.

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings. Architects, facility managers, engineers, interior designers, landscape architects and construction managers are among those who use LEED. State and local governments across the country are adopting LEED for public buildings; the federal government has LEED initiatives in a number of agencies, including the Departments of Defense, Agriculture and Energy. According to the LJ.S. Green Building Council, " LEED promotes a wholebuilding approach to sustainability by recogr>izing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality." Q

process, we had lime to carefully plan sustainable solutions. One of those decisions was to bring in a crew ofAmish workmen who removed and remilled the existing wood Hooring and reclaimed large laminated beams.

Features of these Sustainable Wisconsin Schools
Both of these facilities contain myriad sustainable features that impact education and the environment in numerous and significant ways. Here are examples of .sound environmental practices that were utilized through the THM*! process that can be emulated in your next project: • Construction Waste Management— At Northland Pities, concrete, brick and mortar from the deconstruct ion of the existing high school building www acteonHne.org

was used under parking lots and in the roadbed, contributing to 83 percent of the building avoiding (he landfill. An impressive 96 percent of all building waste at River Crest Elementary was reused or recycled. • Conserving Water Water-reducing IjHtbroom fixtures and the use of climate-appropriate plants to eliminate permanent irrigation systems create annual water savings of approximately S.'j percent. At Northland Pines, two large detention basins retain storm water on site. • Designing Overall Site —At River Crest, walking and bike paths provide safe access to the school for students and staff. Walking and biking will become more important over time as the surrounding area is developed in keeping with the Hudson district's

land use plan. Priority parking encourages stalTund faculty car-pooling. At Northland Pines, bike rack.s olTer secure bicycle parking, and a portion of the site is protected from future development. Maximizing Daylight -Strategic placement of gray low-E wood windows (developed in partnership with Andersen Windows, a local employer) and photosensors iniluence direct/indirect lighting. Daylighting in classrooms is proven to improve studrni performance, attendance and teacher morale and reduces power consumption while managing unwanted solar heat and glare. In Hudson, the large clerestory windows lacing north will flood the gym with natural light, saving electricity and enhancing the visual appeal. ftPRIl 1009 Tc-chniquos

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Selecting Local Materials—More ihan half (by cost) ofthe materials used were manulactured within 500 miles of each construction site. These choices reduce pollution and fuel consumption associated with transporting products to the site. In addition, it reinforces and supports

strong community relationships. For the Hudson School District project, more than 50 percent ofthe wood tiscd in the school comes from the abundance of forests and forest processing facilities available in the upper Midwest, and are approved as Forest Stewardship Council wood.

• Protecting Air Quality—River Crest's classrooms feature air supply systems thai use 100 percent oulside air; classrooms, offices and other areas have ihe option of using naUiral ventilation il necessary. Low- or no-VOC (volatile organic compounds) products were specified for carpeting, paints and adhesives. Additionally, carbon dioxide levels are constantly monitored to ensure air quality is at the prescribed levels for LEED requirements.

A Better Educational Environment
As you consider your next building project, changing with the times and utilizing sustainable design is one clioicc that makes a lot of sense. The bciielits of being environmentally conscientious will impact your students, stafTand the overall environment. As Northland Finos School Disirici's school board president said, "Everyone walks into that building and it's just: 'Wow.'" For your next design and construction or renovation project, begin considering the overall positive impact of your choices. Choose an integrated project delivery method and professionals who incorporate great knowledge and a holistic sustainable philosophy right from the start. Those decisions ean have a jirofbund impact on the education ot couniless students over as many years while keeping costs low. They also provide a better working environment for your teachers and staff, decrease expenses, improve the educational atmosphere for your students and can result in the school being a role model for your community. Make the change and build a better education for your students by building green. D
Paul J. Hoffman www.johndeere.com/publications Call ¡800) 522-7448 lo otdei, to inquire into prices, or to get our free catalog! is owner nnd CEO of Hoffmofi LlC (www.Holfnmn.net). His Wisconsin-based firm intégreles plcniiing, orchifecture ond conslfuction mDnogemenl and n cammitment lo holistic sustoinable design ond delivery. He con be contacted at phoffman® hoffman.nBt.

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Hydraulics: Fundamentals Of Service
Just one of the 27 books from John Deere Publishing, Learning the operation for hydraulic systems in automotives are simpler than students may think, With Hydraulics, you can show your class the "how-to" necessary for diagnosing problems, testing components in off-road vehicles, trucks and automobiles. Hydraulics is a simple language instruction manual that provides new learners with basic steps to increase their knowledge. With 15 informative chapters, this book can support the beginners or even the most experienced mechanics. Filled with remarkably designed illustrations. Hydraulics gives students clear demonstrations for greater understanöing. From photographs and pictorial diagrams to troubleshooting and diagnostic charts. This is the ideal handbook to help trainees comprehend all the theories of automotive hydraulic systems.

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