LEWIS C. CASSIDY ELEMENTARY

PHILADELPHIA, PA

Located in West Philadelphia, the replacement Lewis C. Cassidy Academics Plus Elementary School is fully accessible, with amenities available equally for all occupants regardless of age, mobility, or other condition or disposition. The arrangement of age cohorts provides the opportunity for students to physically move upwards in the building as they grow with the school, culminating with middle school at the upper floor of the core educational classroom wing that is still visually connected to the school through “The Canyon” and tied to other programs.

The School District of Philadelphia’s mission for the Lewis C. Cassidy Academics Plus Elementary School includes holistic approaches to sustainable design and occupant wellness in support of the local community. Core values include energy efficiency, resource conservation, optimal site orientation for daylight and ventilation, and promoting mental and physical health. Access to nature is also of high priority, and the project provides formal and informal spaces for students to play and learn outdoors. Signage will be placed throughout the building and grounds to share these values with students and neighbors.

This school is an anchor of its community, and community members were engaged in early conversations regarding the design of the new school and its amenities. The program reflects this relationship by incorporating spaces that are accessible for use by the public outside of school hours, including indoor and outdoor athletic spaces, new kitchen and cafeteria, and visual arts and technology space.

KEY STATS

Size: 88,000 SF

Sustainability Certification Target: LEED for Schools Gold

Predicted:

EUI: 29.7 kBtu/sf/yr

Energy Use Reduction: 18-20%

Embodied Carbon Reduction [A1-A3]: 13-15% reduction

Water Use Reduction: 30%