A Leading Edge Learning Environment

Environmental Elements:

 Indoor Air Quality

Provide a healty environment and students will be more alert and ready to learn.
 
· Airflow - The mechanical design utilizes a European concept of thermal convection; distributing air from the lower four corners of the room and exhausting high at the center. The "vaulted" form of the space is a function of enhancement of air flow.
 
· Fresh Air - The system supplies 100% fresh air, recycling only the heat from the air through heat recovery units. (Less potential for transmission of viruses, etc., lower absentee rates.)
 
· Temperature Control - Each classroom has individual thermostats with override for night activities. Large spaces have user friendly "switching" to accommodate various occupancies; i.e., low, normal, assembly.

 
· Humidity Control - The building will have "dehumidification" capability - removing moisture from the air during "swing" seasons to provide greater comfort. (Approximately 30-40% of the cost of air conditioning, with 70-80% of perceived benefit.)
 
· Noise Control - Air distribution is low velocity with main units located remote from classroom space, resulting in no HVAC background sound.
 
· Maintenance - All units, controls, dampers, etc. are easily accessible without removal of ceilings.
 
· Energy Conservation - Even with 100% fresh air being supplied, the HVAC system will cost significantly less to operate than a conventional system; accomplished through heat recovery and substantially smaller motor sizes for air distribution equipment.

 
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For more info on Indoor Air Quality,
E-mail: bturner@hlturner.com
 

 
 
“… student achievement was as much as 11 percentile points lower in sub-standard buildings, as compared to above-standard buildings.” Hines, 1996