DLR Group and the Institute for the Built Environment (IBE) at Colorado State University have collaborated on a research project to evaluate the effect of green school design on occupants and long-term building performance. IBE recently published the research report titled, "Linking Performance & Experience – An Analysis of Green Schools."
The findings show schools designed by DLR Group are more energy efficient, provide more space per student, and are constructed for less cost compared to regional averages for schools constructed during the same year. The overwhelming perception of school staff is that the learning environments within DLR Group green schools have a positive impact on health, achievement, and behavior.
“Design does not stop when the school opens," said DLR Group Senior Principal Jim French, AIA, who leads the firm’s K-12 practice. "The design process must include coming back to a project to measure building performance. If both the tangible metrics of energy efficiency and the intangible metrics of student and occupant satisfaction are not being evaluated, then as design professionals we are not truly meeting the needs of our K-12 clients and the communities they serve.”
The IBE researched 12 schools in eight states offering preschool through 8th grade instruction. IBE evaluated P-8 schools because these facilities offer a more controlled and consistent operational environment for study. For the purposes of the study, the schools in the research sample were third party certified or align with criteria for certification as sustainable buildings, and were in operation for at least 12 months.
The key findings include:
- A motivator to improve student health was only mentioned by a handful of respondents. However, when asked specifically about student health, 87% of respondents reported that they perceived a positive impact on student health, with most respondents specifically describing the positive impact of daylighting.
- 85% of respondents reported that their health and productivity were positively affected by the building.
- 71% of respondents perceived that the building has a positive effect on student achievement
- 71% perceived a positive effect on student behavior. For those that who did not share this perspective, many stated that it is very hard for them to identify the effect because of the many other variables which influence student achievement and behavior.
- Green building practices did not necessarily result in higher first costs. Out of the 10 sites in this sample, six were built for below the regional median cost for schools built in the same year, while four were built for costs greater than the regional median.
- The sample mean Energy Star score was 81, which indicates that the buildings are operating in the top 19th percentile. Nine out of the eleven building evaluated for Energy Star have a score over 75 and would receive the Energy Star award.
- Eight schools are operating at or better than the 2030 Challenge 50% reduction target. In addition, by organizing the schools by the year constructed, it is clear that over time the buildings' design has become increasingly more efficient.
Download the DLR Group/CSU high-performance schools study (PDF).
Related Stories
| Jan 3, 2012
AIA Course: New Developments in Concrete Construction
Earn 1.0 AIA/CES learning units by studying this article and successfully completing the online exam.
| Jan 3, 2012
The Value of Historic Paint Investigations
An expert conservator provides a three-step approach to determining a historic building’s “period of significance”—and how to restore its painted surfaces to the correct patterns and colors.
| Jan 3, 2012
28th Annual Reconstruction Awards: Bringing Hope to Cancer Patients
A gothic-style structure is reconstructed into comfortable, modern patient residence facility for the American Cancer Society.
| Jan 3, 2012
Art Gensler: Still Making a Difference for Clients Every Day
After running what is today the largest architecture firm in the world for more than four decades, M. Arthur Gensler, Jr., FAIA, FIIDA, RIBA, is content to be just another employee at the firm that bears his name.
| Jan 3, 2012
Gensler: 'The One Firm Firm'
The giant architecture firm succeeds by giving each of its more than 3,000 employees the opportunity for career growth and professional leadership.
| Jan 3, 2012
Rental Renaissance, The Rebirth of the Apartment Market
Across much of the U.S., apartment rents are rising, vacancy rates are falling. In just about every major urban area, new multifamily rental projects and major renovations are coming online. It may be too soon to pronounce the rental market fully recovered, but the trend is promising.
| Dec 29, 2011
OSHA enforcing new fall hazard standards
OSHA is enforcing its new fall protection standards, as evidenced by a recent crackdown in New York.
| Dec 29, 2011
Decision not to fireproof the new World Trade Center Transportation Hub criticized
Some criticized the decision, reasoning that the structure could be a terrorist target.
| Dec 29, 2011
Seismic safety in question at thousands of California public schools
California regulators responsible for enforcing earthquake safety laws have failed to certify more than 16,000 construction projects in California public schools, increasing the risk that some projects may be unsafe, according to a state audit report.
| Dec 29, 2011
GreenWizard offers cloud-based LEED credit management, assessment
The company recently began offering companies the ability to run assessments for design credits, in addition to traditional product-specific LEED credits.