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The Prestonwood Christian Academy in Plano, Texas uses natural lighting extremely well. There are lots of open spaces and floor-to-ceiling windows to allow as much light in as possible.

It seems these days that new stories and information sources appear regularly on green or sustainable and for good reason. Going green or embracing sustainable building practices has emerged as the way to go in new facilities, be they educational, healthcare or other building types. There are a number of reasons for this. Green buildings are better for the environment, the user and the owner. No where is this more true than in education and health-care where the happiness and health of the users is critical.

When considering a new construction or renovation project that will involve sustainable practices there are a number of steps that can be taken. With any well-constructed building good planning is crucial. That is where the whole process begins.

LEED as a Guide
When looking to go green with either a new or existing building a good place to start is with the LEED® standards. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System TM has been developed by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) as a nationwide set of standards for sustainable buildings. There are standards for both new and existing buildings and they can be used as a guide during planning and construction. The USGBC awards points based on their criteria and can certify a building that meets certain numerical goals. They have multiple certification levels depending on how many points a building receives.

Whether or not a particular building seeks LEED® certification the standards can serve as a framework for sustainable construction practices. The LEED® standards recognize performance in five key areas: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality. The standards and further information are available from the USGBC and online at www.usgbc.org.

Selecting and planning a new building site is very important. The layout of the building, how much green space, the type of vegetation and the water runoff are all factors in sustainability. For example, too much exposed concrete can create a heat island. This raises the temperature of the building and grounds increasing surrounding air temperature and cooling costs.

There are a number of ways to alleviate or eliminate heat islands. Using light colored roofing is one so that the heat is reflected back into the air instead of being absorbed by the roof and warming the building. Also, cool metal roofs are now available so that even darker colored roofs can reflect substantial amounts of UV rays back into the sky and away from the building. For flat roofs, having a surface of landscaping and greenery helps cool and insulate the roof as well as provide educational and viewing opportunities for the building users. Green roofs are also protected from the elements and therefore, last longer.

Green spaces can be increased through the use of landscaped islands in parking areas as well as maintaining existing trees on the property. If they do not need to be removed for the building they can serve as shade and natural views for those in the building. Increased green space, particularly if it is accessible, is known to be beneficial for hospital patients. The Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital in Dallas uses its green space to the advantage of the patients. There are many large old live oak trees plus lots of grass, walking areas and even a playground for the kids. The trees are not only pleasant to look at; they provide lots of shade for the grounds and buildings. The hospital is near downtown but it is truly an oasis for those on the property.

Water runoff and its use is another factor to consider. All sites needs to have adequate permeable ground to absorb storm runoff as this can keep a property from having flooding and sewer problems. If there is space a collection pool for runoff can be built. This water can be used for irrigation and other non-potable water uses.

The Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital in Dallas uses its green space to the advantage of the patients. There are many large old live oak trees plus lots of grass, walking areas and even a playground for kids.

Material Selection
The planning for a new building, renovation or facility upgrade will involve quite a bit of material selection. This is another area where sustainability can play a big role. Locally sourced materials are a good choice when looking for green options. The delivery distance is short so there is not a lot of fuel spent in getting the materials to the site. The use of local products also helps to promote the local economy.

Recycled material is another way to increase sustainability. Look for and use materials with a high recycled content. Whether the building is new or renovated, recycled products are available for many uses these days and often at no additional cost. During the construction process look to recycle building materials as much as possible. Wood, concrete and metal from a construction site can all be recycled. For renovation projects, older materials can often be recycled or refurbished and resold. Once the project is complete continue recycling the trash from the users of the building. Make sure students, staff, administrators and patients are all educated on the benefits of recycling and how they can do so in the facility.

Energy efficiency is very important in a sustainable building. A commissioning agent will review the HVAC systems to make sure it is designed correctly for the project. It is important to ensure the system is the right size for the building. Having too much capacity can lead to inefficient use. It will cost more upfront as well as in over-all utility costs. Keeping the facility running as efficiently as possible can reduce costs substantially over the long run. The HVAC system is vital in this respect. Proper distribution will ensure that the hot and cold air gets where it needs to be as quickly and easily as possible. Heat can be recaptured to heat fresh air before being exhausted. An HVAC expert can help to make sure the system works as it is supposed to.

Light fixtures, when selected correctly can use less electricity. By using florescent bulbs, motion detectors and automatic shut off switches it is easy to save on lighting costs. Natural lighting can also affect the amount of artificial lighting needed and is very important to the quality of life within the building. It has been shown that increased natural lighting increases learning and healing. Including atriums with skylights, large clerestories and lots of windows allows natural light to flood the building. It is important however to shade windows or to select high- performance glass to prevent excessive solar heat gain. The Prestonwood Christian Academy in Plano, Texas uses natural lighting extremely well. There are lots of open spaces and floor-to-ceiling windows to allow as much light in as possible.

Another area to focus on is water use inside the building. Low flow fixtures can lower water costs immensely. For students and patients the use of water is vital. As such, making sure they use the right amount makes a big difference in water bills. Where possible, waterless fixtures such as urinals can be used.

Indoor Air Quality
Indoor air quality is always important but probably no more so than in educational and healthcare facilities. Keeping the air quality as high as possible is part of a sustainable program. The better the air quality the healthier the users of the building will be. Indoor air quality starts with proper heating and cooling, again speaking to the necessity of the correct system for the building. It is also affected by the materials used inside the building.

Materials inside the building that can affect the air quality include wood products, wall panels, paints and carpets. Pressed wood products often use glues that can emit odors and chemicals such as formaldehyde. It is important to avoid these products wherever possible. Paints and carpeting are additional products that can emit odors and cause reactions in sensitive people. Choose the materials carefully and look for low toxicity products.

Cleaning products can also do damage to the air quality. There are many natural cleaning products available today that do a very good job and do not cost any more than regular cleaners. These products also meet all standards for health care facilities.

Creating a high-performing, sustainable building can help save money and increase productivity and health within the building. The result will be students who learn more, patients who heal faster and a happier, more successful staff.

Betsy del Monte, AIA, LEED AP is Chair of the Board of Directors of the U.S. Green Building Council–North Texas Chapter and 2007 President of the Dallas Chapter of the AIA. She is involved with the AIA Committee on the Environment at the local and national levels and is a regular speaker on sustainability issues at conferences nation-wide.

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