School is officially back in session or will be soon; as students and teachers head back into the classroom for another year of learning and exploration, building safety and efficiency remains top of mind.
In fact, operating costs and energy use are the second largest expenses for school systems throughout the country, only behind educator salaries. Given this, an increasing number of new schools are being designed to be certified Net Zero or Net Zero Ready, which means the facilities generate at least as much energy as they consume while also providing an opportunity to educate and involve students in the process.
The benefit of a Net Zero building for a school district is clear; cost savings associated with the decrease in energy consumption are dollars that can be reallocated back to the school for educational programming. Additionally, sustainable school buildings, specifically those designed to achieve net zero energy, have also proven to positively affect learning outcomes and the overall well-being of students and staff, increasing average student attendance and improving teacher satisfaction and retention.
Access to Green Space
Net Zero schools often feature elements of our natural environment and an increased availability of green spaces. According to the Journal of Pediatric Nursing, access to green space was associated with improved mental well-being, overall health, and cognitive development of children. It promotes attention restoration, memory, competence, supportive social groups, and self-discipline, moderates stress, improves behaviors and symptoms of ADHD, and was even associated with higher standardized test scores.
Adlai E. Stevenson High School East Building Addition
As the first Net Zero building in Illinois, Gilbane’s Adlai E. Stevenson High School East Building Addition project is also the first Living Architecture Performance Tool (LAPT) Platinum-certified project in the world. Featuring a large active green wall system, a rooftop greenhouse, and exterior gardens support innovative instruction in biology and botany, – students are producing food to demonstrate a farm to fork approach.
Effects of Natural Light
In a study outlined in the Journal of Educational Administration, which explored student achievement in relation to day lighting, movement and circulation, and views of the outdoors, the accessibility of such environments had significant effects on reading comprehension, language arts, mathematics, and science.
Slate School
Touted as one of the most environmentally friendly schools in the world, Gilbane’s Slate School in Connecticut uses natural daylight as much as possible for illumination in the learning and communal spaces. All indoor lighting mimics the natural light of the sun. In the morning, the light fixtures emit light that is warmer in tone, with reds and yellows, just like morning light. Around noon, the light turns to cooler tones of white and blue. As the afternoon goes on, it slowly shifts back to warmer tones. This use of natural and Circadian lighting reduces our use of energy, keeps students more closely connected to nature’s rhythms, and improves attentiveness and performance.
While savings in energy cost is an obvious benefit, the primary positive impact of a Net Zero school is on its occupants. Furthermore, as more and more districts turn toward Net Zero designs, the effects on learning outcomes will only multiply as Net Zero schools also serve as living laboratories that stimulate innovation and growth.
Gilbane has built a national team of professionals with the knowledge and expertise required for the successful execution of a Net Zero school project.
- Recent Net Zero or Net Zero Ready Gilbane Projects:
- Adlai E. Stevenson High School East Building Addition – Lincolnshire, Illinois
- NeoCity Academy STEM High School – NeoCity, Florida
- D.C. Public Schools, John Lewis Elementary School, District of Columbia
- Falls Church City Public Schools, Meridian High School – Falls Church, Virginia
- Slate School – North Haven, CT
