GOLD MEDAL AWARD WINNER
The Building of America
Bethke Elementary School www.constructionreviews.com
Facts & Figures Owner: Poudre School District Type of Project: A new elementary school Size: 62,691 square feet Cost: $9.5 million (building costs) Construction Time: April 2007 - July 2008 The Need: A new school to help alleviate overcrowding in a fast growing area The Challenge: Working on the undeveloped site
Photo courtesy of RB+B Architects, Inc./Paul Brokering Photography
Timnath, Colorado
Bethke Elementary School
Gold Medal Award-winning Team Members RB+B Architects, Inc. Architect Dohn Construction, Inc. General Contractor The Birdsall Group Site & Landscape Design
Bethke
Elementary
School,
the first schools in the country to
integrated school site that has
located in Timnath, Colo., was
achieve the U.S. Green Building
become the heart of the neighbor-
built in order to alleviate over-
Council’s
in
hood and the surrounding com-
crowding in schools in an area that
Energy and Environmental Design
munity,” said Jim Birdsall, principal
was experiencing rapid growth.
(LEED®) gold for schools certifica-
for The Birdsall Group.
new
Leadership
Working with the community
tion. This project is also registered
“The building has been devel-
and regional partners for more
and submitted for review under
oped using a fully integrated design
than
School
the Green Building Initiative’s™
approach, having all parties (users,
District’s “Green Team” developed
Green Globes™ program and is
designers, consultants, contractors
a comprehensive set of sustain-
expected to reach its highest level
and public) involved in all phases
able design guidelines that set
of certification — 4 Green Globes.
of the programming and design
high performance standards for
The project is located in an area
process,” said George A. Brelig,
Mill Brothers Landscape & Nursery, Inc. Landscape & Irrigation Installation
new and remodeled facility devel-
of new growth, and the land was
AIA, CEFPI, lead designer, principal
opment throughout the district.
dedicated for a new neighborhood
in charge, and Corky Bradley, AIA,
Northern Engineering Site Grading & Utility Design
In fall 2002, the first building
school that would serve the grow-
LEED AP, project architect for RB+B
designed
guide-
ing needs of the community. The
Architects, Inc., the project’s archi-
Seal Tech Insulators LLC Insulation Contractor
lines opened, receiving awards
Birdsall Group was responsible for
tect. For example, the landscape
from the Association of School
the site and landscape design for
architect was in communication
Administrators,
Colorado
the school as well as for the 916-
with the mechanical engineer as
Renewable Energy Society, the
acre, master-planned community
well as the daylight consultant to
American
Interior
that surrounds the school. “The
coordinate the placement of plant
Designers, the American Institute
school is integrated into the neigh-
materials and trees.
of Architects (AIA) and the U.S.
borhood’s streets, trails, landscap-
Encompassing nearly 63,000
Environmental Protection Agency
ing, storm drainage systems, etc.
square feet, Bethke Elementary
(EPA). Bethke is the fourth iteration
We worked with the neighbor-
School accommodates students
of this design built by the Poudre
hood developer, the school district
in kindergarten through sixth
School District and will be one of
and the town to create a uniquely
grade. The school is divided
DM Roofing & Sheet Metal LLC Sheet Metal Roofing & Siding Supplier & Installer Front Range Commercial Windows & Doors, LLC Window Supplier Geiler & Associates, LLC Interior Acoustics, Sound Isolation & Mechanical Noise & Vibration Control Engineer
Shaffer · Baucom Engineering & Consulting (SBEC) Mechanical & Electrical Engineer of Record Skip’s Carpet Service Floor Covering Contractor Solargreen Technologies, LLC d/b/a Skylights of Colorado Solar Tube Daylighting Supplier & Installer Tandus Group, Inc. Floor Covering Contractor
a
year,
Poudre
using
these
the
Society
of
continued on page 6
gold medal award winner
colorado edition
The Owner’s Perspective with John J. Little, Project Manager, Planning, Design & Construction, Poudre School District Q: What is the most unique or important feature of the facility (or
Q: Were there any innovative strategies involving improved
of the design/construction process)?
quality, cost-effectiveness or cost reductions?
JL: Will be one of the first schools in the country to achieve LEED
®
for Schools certification. Will also achieve 4 Green Globes™ from the
JL: Daylighting, micro-loading, heat recovery, super insulated shell, photovoltaic panels (future)
Green Building Initiative . ™
Q: If another owner was about to commence work on a similar Q: What is the most innovative aspect of the project (or of the
project, what advice would you offer from your experiences that
design/construction process, financing, environmental)? What
he/she may not be aware of?
could others learn from?
JL: Have a quality design team and a quality contractor.
JL: Extensive use of daylighting (natural light) and use of heat recovery in the HVAC system. Will have solar panels added in the future. Q: In all your experiences as an owner, what were some of the best lessons you have learned? Q: What were the greatest challenges encountered on this project?
JL: Teamwork pays off.
How, specifically, were they overcome? JL: Being in a new undeveloped area and getting utilities and amenities to site [was a challenge]. Hard work and persistence [helped overcome these issues].
Q: How did the strengths and experience of the project team contribute to the success of the project? JL: This is the fourth building of this prototype of this design, and the continuity of the design team has been a big factor.
2407 LaPorte Ave. Fort Collins, CO 80521 970-490-3189 www.psdschools.org
High-Caliber Consulting:
Photo courtesy of RB+B Architects, Inc./Paul Brokering Photography
continued from page 3
into active and passive zones to
tainability. Opportunities to pro-
management equipment, as well
manager for Dohn Construction,
promote
and
mote “buildings that teach” have
as building monitoring provide
Inc., the project’s general con-
student performance. The active
been provided at every oppor-
dozens of educational opportuni-
tractor, one of the most innova-
zone includes the cafeteria, the
tunity. Many of the systems that
ties for students to learn how the
tive and important aspects of the
gymnasium, music rooms and
are typically hidden away are
building functions.
project was the extensive use of
more, while the passive area hous-
exposed to view and are labeled to
According to John J. Little, proj-
daylighting, used primarily in the
es the classrooms.
indicate their function. Exposed
ect manager, planning, design and
interior classrooms on the upper
Moreover, the school’s design
structure, mechanical systems, fire
construction for Poudre School
level, in the hallways and corridors,
centers on the concept of sus-
sprinkler riser and piping, data
District, and David Stolte, project
and in the restrooms. Solargreen
concentration
continued on page 12
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gold medal award winner
The Architect’s Perspective with George A. Brelig, AIA, CEFPI, Lead Designer, Principal in Charge, and Corky Bradley, AIA, LEED AP, Project Architect, RB+B Architects, Inc. Q: Describe the project in relative detail, incorporating what you think makes the project unique, innovative, important or sets it apart. How does the design complement the overall mission of the facility/ owner? GB & CB: …The building has been developed using a fully integrated design approach, having all parties (users, designers, consultants, contractors and public) involved in all phases of the programming and design process. Our landscape architect, for example, is in communication with the mechanical engineer as well as the daylighting consultant to coordinate the placement of plant materials and trees. Our civil engineer has reduced the amount of asphalt paving around the building, which dramatically reduces the heat load as well as reducing the amount of site runoff….
Q: What were some of the drivers behind the design? What design materials or concepts were used? GB & CB: The goal was to provide a high-performance elementary school that can accommodate multiple educational delivery systems (Standard, Core-Knowledge, IBE, etc.). Under the parameters of PSD’s “Sustainable Design Guidelines,” Bethke was designed with the utmost care to assure Energy Star, LEED® and GBI™ certification. One of the products that we are using more and more is closed-cell, spray-applied polyurethane insulation. While a bit more expensive in and of itself, we are able to completely eliminate batt insulation in the exterior wall, the interior vapor retarder and the exterior air barrier. Plus, the performance is far better because we’ve minimized the “thermal bridging” caused by metal studs in a traditional wall. It really helps us “shrink-wrap” the building!
Q: What were the greatest challenges encountered on this project, either from your firm’s point of view or as a project team? GB & CB: Nothing unexpected really. The school is getting built prior to all of the infrastructure in this part of Timnath Ranch, so we’ve had to construct some temporary roads, work around utility construction, and the like. (This project does have the advantage of having three of this prototype
Photos courtesy of RB+B Architects, Inc.
being completed previously.)
Q: What were some of the lessons learned from this project? GB & CB: As always, there’s one important factor to remember. It’s not just about building “green;” it’s not just about getting to LEED® or GBI™, it’s about providing the very best learning environment for the kids and the best working environment for the staff! When we can do that, allow the kids to flourish, to teach them a little about the environment they live and participate in, and save the taxpayers energy dollars, that’s when we can feel proud (which we do!).
315 E. Mountain Ave., #100 Fort Collins, CO 80524 970-484-0117 cbradley@rbbarchitects.com www.rbbarchitects.com
Photo courtesy of RB+B Architects, Inc./Paul Brokering Photography
continued from page 6
Technologies, LLC d/b/a Skylights
Carpet Service provided sustainable,
school. “We provided the metal
of Colorado was the supplier and
high-performance floor covering.
according to LEED® requirements
responsible for the site grading,
installer of the solar tube daylight-
“Our Powerbond® RS flooring sys-
and worked with the members of
utility design, transportation and
ing device. This device gives a
tem provided high recycled content
Dohn Construction to ensure a
drainage requirements for the site.
more consistent spread of light
materials, low emissions, improved
successful project,” said Matt D.
“We were able to link a series of
and is a more energy-efficient
acoustics and energy savings,” said
Lort and Della J. Lort, the compa-
‘wet ponds’ with grass-lined swales
way of bringing light inside than
John Kimble, account executive for
ny’s founders.
and bioswales throughout the mas-
windows or skylights. “We put
Tandus. Skip and Sherry Eigbrett,
Geiler & Associates, LLC served
ter plan,” said Timothy B. Kemp,
in a daylight dimmer that allows
owners of Skip’s Carpet Service,
as the project’s interior acoustics,
PE, project manager for Northern
you to have no energy cost, a
added, “It is an honor to work
sound isolation and mechanical
Engineering. “This allowed for
zero-cost lighting device,” said
for and with Poudre School District
noise and vibration control engi-
an increase in the removal of
Joseph
and
who
neer. “We were responsible for see-
total suspended soils, combined
Tyler Smith, general manager for
realize the importance of sustain-
ing that the design met mandatory
with water quality features in the
Solargreen Technologies.
able products and how they ben-
LEED® prerequisite requirements
ponds, to ensure the stormwater
efit our community.”
as well as enhanced performance
being released from the site was
DM Roofing & Sheet Metal
requirements,” said Jeff Geiler,
thoroughly filtered and would not
gold certifica-
LLC supplied and installed sheet
PE, principal/acoustician for Geiler
create any adverse effects to the
tion. Tandus Group, Inc. and Skip’s
metal roofing and siding for the
& Associates.
downstream ecosystem.”
Schiff,
president,
and
Many other team members were integral in helping the school achieve its LEED
®
Dohn
Construction
Northern
Engineering
was
continued on page 17
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Photos courtesy of RB+B Architects, Inc./Paul Brokering Photography
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continued from page 12
Other sustainable and energysaving features on the project include parking lots and landscape that are oriented to limit “heat sink” contribution to the building’s heat load; xeriscape landscaping in non-playfield areas; and the use of non-potable water for irrigation. Furthermore, many of the materials selected for the school were manufactured locally, and feature recycled content or can be recycled. Inside the building, the indoor air quality is ensured by the use of ultra low volatile organic compound (VOC) coatings, while occupancy sensors and daylight sensors dim the lights during the day when daylight is plentiful. Front
Range
Commercial
Windows & Doors, LLC (FRC) provided Marvin Windows for the job. “FRC worked with the project’s architect and contractor to design specific window systems which created adequate and even ambient light levels, reduced glare and successfully integrated the daylighting and electric lighting system to reduce electrical and heating costs,” said Joe Morris, project manager for FRC. Another
contributor
to
the
LEED® certification was a spray foam exterior insulation that was used in order to completely eliminate batt insulation in the exterior wall, the interior vapor retarder and the exterior air barrier. “We installed a product called Heatlock, produced by Demilec USA. It is a spray-applied, soy-based insulation with a very high R value per inch, manufactured on site and worth a lot of LEED® points,” said Scott McBlair, owner of Seal Tech Insulators LLC, the project’s insulation contractor. Despite the project’s overwhelming success, there were some challenges along the way, including the school’s site in a new, undeveloped area. According to Little, Photos courtesy of John J. Little
gold medal award winner
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The General Contractor’s Perspective with David Stolte, Project Manager, Dohn Construction, Inc. Q: What is the most unique or important feature of the facility (or of the design/construction process)? DS: The daylighting throughout the building is amazing. Even for a contractor, we can see the advantages it will have on the enhancement of the learning environment
Q: What is the most innovative aspect of the project (or of the design/construction process)? What could other owners learn from for their future projects? DS: The entire LEED® aspects and items…make this project extremely special. As a contractor, we had the benefit of past information. As this was a prototype school, we were able to learn from past challenges.
Q: How did you work with the architect and owner to save time and/or money on the project? How was value engineering applied to your responsibility? DS: By working as a team early in the process, we were able to eliminate a lot of the issues and concerns. Materials and procedures were addressed at the project’s infancy, and thus we avoided many of the pitfalls that usually occur in a project of this size. Photo courtesy of Dohn Construction, Inc.
Q: What were some of the lessons learned from this project? DS: As always, you can learn from every project. We learned a lot by reviewing the past performances of our school projects. Working together with all of the trades, engineers and architects in the planning phase as well as throughout the process, allowed for a smooth project. John Little with Poudre School District deserves a lot of credit as he really managed the process efficiently and professionally.
2642 Midpoint Dr. Fort Collins, CO 80525 970-490-1855 www.dohnconstruction.com
Photos courtesy of RB+B Architects, Inc./Paul Brokering Photography
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CARPET SERVICE
continued from page 17
it was difficult getting utilities and
it one layer at a time with the
greater student/staff productiv-
half compared to a conventionally
amenities to the site. Brelig and
addition of compost soil prepping;
ity, less absenteeism and better
designed building.
Bradley said they had to construct
installation of a state-of-the-art,
health. According to Barry J.
Bethke Elementary School is
some temporary roads and work
water-efficient irrigation system;
Stamp, PE, LEED AP, principal for
a high-performance school that
around the utility construction.
and the planting of native species
Shaffer · Baucom Engineering &
exemplifies the commitment to be
Mill Brothers Landscape & Nursery,
of plant materials and seed mix-
Consulting (SBEC), the project’s
responsible stewards in our natural
Inc. was responsible for the instal-
tures,” stated Kevin W. Mill, CLP,
mechanical and electrical engineer
resources and allow public educa-
lation of all the landscape and
CLT, president of Mill Brothers.
of record, this design approach
tion to provide leadership in devel-
School’s
also produced a “micro-loaded”
oping an ethic of sustainability in
took on a project that just had bare
integrated design approach result-
building, reducing heating and
all practices. n
dirt all around it and transformed
ed in a building that promotes
cooling costs by approximately
irrigation on the project. “We
Bethke
Elementary
— Stacey Nathanson
Photo courtesy of RB+B Architects, Inc./Paul Brokering Photography
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