School Shoots for LEED Gold Certification
Green Design Benefits Environment, Local Economy and Wider Community
Aug 31, 2009
Ecole Lawrence Grassi Middle School in Canmore, Alberta is sustainable in many ways: it uses 50 percent less energy than a conventional school building its size and materials are sourced locally and regionally. The project's extensive use of wood made the best use of skilled local tradespeople.
That’s only part of the story. As part of construction management for the project, 85 percent of an existing building on the site was diverted from landfill. Materials from the previous school were salvaged and shipped to Guatemala for use in schools there.
Calgary-based firm Graham Edmunds Cartier were the architects for the building, which is 4600 square meters (50,000 square feet). The school is aiming for LEED™ Gold certification based on the number of credits it applied for under the LEED rating system.
Social, Ecological and Financial Sustainability
Clients that embark on a LEED journey realize more than just environmental objectives. Yes, Lawrence Grassi improves energy efficiency and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. But the school’s decision to pursue LEED certification has resulted in much broader benefits.
A previous school was demolished to make way for a larger, more energy-efficient structure. The new school earned credits in the LEED Materials Recycling category by diverting construction waste from the local landfill. Four containers of salvaged parts—light fixtures, desks, chalkboards, doors, etc.—were then shipped to Guatemala for use in schools there, as part of an arrangement with charitable partner Impact Ministries.
The decision to construct the structure of wood has resulted in a warm, inviting interior. It also brought synergies for the town’s economy, creating jobs for a local labour force experienced with wood construction. Economies of a different sort were realized onsite by careful construction management. Wood cut-offs that might otherwise have ended up in waste bins were used for applications like blocking.
A School is More than Just a Building
The town of Canmore is notable for its mountain location and wood and stone buildings. Designing a school in this setting called for a sensitive response to the surrounding environment and community.
On the exterior, cladding materials include a base of burnished concrete block veneer and a middle portion of clear western red cedar siding. The upper walls are clad in corrugated metal siding, a reference to the town’s coal-mining past.
Inside, extensive use of wood gives a down-home feeling to the central meeting area and corridors. Wherever possible, materials were locally or regionally sourced to cut down on transportation costs and associated carbon dioxide emissions.
The learning environment at the facility benefits from a natural ventilation system. Other features of the interior that promote wellbeing include high levels of daylighting and the use of low volatile organic compounds for finishes.
It’s a bonus that the school came in at $3100 per square meter ($285 per square foot), within the limit set by the province of Alberta. Making a difference locally and for the wider environment is what really counts at Ecole Lawrence Grassi Middle School.
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