LEED Green Design Features in Renovated and New Schools
- Schools are built on sustainably selected sites: not on farmlands, parklands, wetlands and habitats, not close to the lakes and flood plains.
- They are located in the proximity to public transportation and basic services, allow bicycles parking on site and provide sidewalks to the school.
- They provide preferential parking for low emitting and fuel efficient vehicles.
- Their roof and paving surface are light color to minimize heat island effect. New construction might consider vegetated roofs to minimize storm water run-off.
- They allow for community use of school spaces such as Gym, Auditorium etc.
- They are built according to previously developed Master Plan which includes future developments on the site.
- They consider low water use for site irrigation.
- They use low flow water conserving plumbing fixtures to minimize water and sanitary infrastructure.
- They are energy efficient in terms of building envelope and use of innovative and alternative energy saving mechanical and electrical systems.
- To ensure that the systems are functioning as designed they are verified by the certified commissioning agents.
- There is a space in each school for storage of recyclable materials.
- They prevent erosion and sedimentation and minimize site disturbance in new construction activities.
- Life cycle of existing buildings is extended by reusing their structural and non structural components.
- Building materials and finishes are selected to be regional and have recycled content.
- The schools are designed and verified to assure adequate outdoor air ventilation, CO2 concentration is monitored constantly.
- The building finishes such as floor finishes, paint and adhesives are of low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) content.
- The Classrooms meet the minimum acoustical performance required by standards.
- Lighting and thermal comfort is individually controlled.
- Special measures are applied to prevent mold in the school buildings.