PHILADELPHIA, PA—Wallace Roberts & Todd, an integrated design firm of architects, landscape architects and planners, says its project, Germantown Academy Upper and Middle School, has achieved LEED Gold certification.

“LEED Certification identifies Germantown Academy as a showcase example of sustainable design. Not only are we positively impacting the environment with this plan, but we are giving the school and its students an opportunity to interact directly with nature,” says Maarten Pesch, AIA, LEED AP BD +C, principal at WRT and project lead.

Sustainable strategies employed within the new building to reduce utility consumption include using harvested rain water for toilet flushing, large windows with exterior sunscreens to maximize glare-free daylighting of teaching spaces, automated lighting / temperature controls, and high-efficiency mechanical /ventilation equipment. These and other features combine to limit the building's energy needs to less than 80% of current national energy efficiency standards.

The project also focuses on indoor environmental quality, with special attention paid to air filtration, humidity control, mold prevention within wall assemblies, enhanced acoustical performance within and between teaching spaces, use of only low-emitting materials, and implementation of indoor air quality management plans.

The project also incorporates materials that have been extracted regionally and/or ones that have high recycled content to minimize the environmental impact associated with its construction. Environmental impact was further reduced during construction by the implementation of an intensive recycling program which diverted over 90% of construction waste materials from landfills.

Aside from items incorporated into the actual construction, GA garnered special innovation credits from USGBC for developing new sustainability-focused educational programs and interdisciplinary project-based learning opportunities that use the project's green features as hands-on “teaching tools.” The design includes a raised academic courtyard, surrounded by and accessible from adjoining science, art and lounge spaces. The courtyard has become a showcase for many of these innovative teaching ventures.

While developing the new Upper & Middle School, GA also proceeded with implementation of WRT's design for reconfiguration of its outdoor athletic areas, including expanded field facilities along with rain gardens, meadows, filtration basins and other features to slow and cleanse run-off as it approaches the Wissahickon Creek.

The areas flanking the Creek have been dubbed “The Preserve” and are characterized by expanses of wildflowers and native grasses, butterfly gardens and outdoor classroom coves that reinforce GA's goal of helping the broader community understand and appreciate environmental issues. Since development of The Preserve, GA has become a certified Audubon Society Bird Habitat.

The Preserve and the new Upper & Middle School building are the first major projects to be implemented in realization of WRT's sustainable master plan for the entire Germantown Academy campus. The building is only the 23^rd in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to have achieved a Gold or higher rating under The LEED for Schools program since USGBC's introduction of that program in 2007.

“We're thrilled that USGBC has recognized the great commitment GA has made to environmental stewardship to date and look forward to helping the School reinforce that commitment as future phases of the master plan proceed,” says Joe Salerno, AIA LEED AP, senior associate at WRT.

Instant Insights /

Germantown Academy's New Upper and Middle School Achieves Gold LEED Status

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