Sidwell Friends School was GreenShape’s first client in April of 2004 when our company opened its doors. GreenShape served as the sustainability consultant to the Sidwell Middle School building which inspired the educational sector and the world with its LEED Platinum certification.
Five years later, GreenShape continues to work closely with Sidwell to support their greening efforts. We are proud to announce that the Lower School addition and renovation in Bethesda, Maryland has been awarded a LEED NC Gold certification from the USGBC.
Many design and construction features contributed to the LEED Gold designation.
Energy
Gym with radiant heated floors
To help promote superior indoor air quality, a green housekeeping plan has been implemented at both Sidwell campuses. GreenSeal certified non-toxic cleaning products are used throughout the buildings. All cleaning staff are trained in proper use and dilution of cleaning products. HEPA vacuums and low-decibel cleaning equipment is also employed.
The project was designed to use 33% less energy than a traditional school by using energy-efficient features including:
- A roof which is 155% more efficient than standard buildings use
- Walls which are 3 times more energy efficient than standard
- Windows providing twice as much insulation value as standard windows.
- Ceiling fans in the gym and classrooms which extend the comfort zone for building occupants in spring and fall and reduce the use of air conditioning.
- Windows, skylights, and clerestories in the gym and classrooms which provide natural light and allow the electric lights to be used less during the school day.
- Water-heated radiant flooring to heat the gym.
- A “central plant” allows a single mechanical heating and cooling system to efficiently serve both the classrooms and gym buildings.
Water
Water use by plumbing fixtures has been reduced by 30% through the use of dual-flush toilets and low-flow lavatories. Dual-flush toilets save water by allowing users to pull up for a half-flush for liquids or push down for a full flush for solids.
Rain Garden
Drought-resistant plant species that are native or adapted the local climate were used in the landscape, eliminating the need to use potable water for irrigation. Rainwater is directed through downspouts into rain gardens using perforated conductor pipes. The rain gardens fill up with water after a rainfall and allow the water to be absorbed back into the earth over time, recharging the water table.
Materials
One of the biggest environmental impacts of construction is often the waste generated during demolition and construction, however, eighty-six percent (86%) of the waste generated during construction of the Lower School buildings was diverted from landfills through reuse or recycling. 1,160 tons of asphalt and concrete were recycled from the project site during demolition. Another 404 tons of waste were recycled during construction of the buildings.
Building materials were selected with the environment in mind. Over 17% of the materials used in construction contained recycled content and over 28% were manufactured within 500 miles of the Bethesda site.
Much of the casework in the buildings was constructed with wheatboard, avoiding binders with added urea formaldehyde and low-emitting paints, adhesives and sealants were used throughout the building
The floors in corridors are covered with linoleum, a durable product made from linseed oil, pine rosin, pine flour, and pigments. These materials are non-toxic, biodegradable, and low-emitting, so, unlike vinyl, manufacturing and disposing of them is not harmful to people or the environment. They are also rapidly renewable, which means they grow back quickly after harvesting, creating a readily available supply and conserving more limited natural resources.
Living Green in a Green School
Classroom
To help promote superior indoor air quality, a green housekeeping plan has been implemented at both Sidwell campuses. GreenSeal certified non-toxic cleaning products are used throughout the buildings. All cleaning staff was trained in proper use and dilution of cleaning products. HEPA vacuums and low-decibel cleaning equipment is also employed.
Sidwell has embedded the institution’s Quaker values of environmental stewardship in campus life and ongoing operations. For example, students at the Lower School are involved in growing vegetables for use by the food service. The Sustainable Food program uses only natural meats, milk, organic whole fruits and vegetables and has eliminated canned and frozen ingredients. Compost bins are used for the composting of vegetable scraps from the Martha’s Table community service vegetable cutting program.
A building tour, brochure and presentations have been developed to allow Sidwell Friends School to share their green building story with others.
GreenShape is proud of Sidwell’s leadership and ongoing commitment to educate the broader community in sustainability and we look forward to a continued partnership.