Net-Zero Middle School to Be Built Outside of Houston

A new middle school, just outside of Houston, will have a net zero design, meaning the building will produce as much energy as it consumes. Corgan, the architecture firm that designed the school, presented the latest schematics at a Fort Bend ISD school board meeting on Sept. 16.

The new middle school located in Missouri City will include about 90,000 square feet of solar panels on the roof and overhangs.

The new middle school located in Missouri City will include about 90,000 square feet of solar panels on the roof and overhangs. The energy produced by the solar panels will be converted on-site and sent to the power company who will give the school credit for the power it produces, reported Community Impact Newspaper.  

“We are going to achieve net zero by using renewable energy resources and an enhanced building envelope that will reduce the heating and cooling load on this building,” said AJ Sustaita, an education architecture project manager at Corgan.

The 2018 FBISD bond election included funds for the new middle school. The school district approved Corgan to prepare design and construction documents for the school in December. The proposed project budget is more than $10 million.

About the Author

Yvonne Marquez is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Zurn Elkay Releases 2025 Sustainability Report

    Zurn Elkay Water Solutions recently announced the release of its annual sustainability report, according to a news release. The 2025 report discusses the organization’s efforts to maintain good environmental stewardship and the solutions provided in helping customers meet sustainability goals.

  • Spaces4Learning Trends & Predictions for Educational Facilities in 2026: Part II

    As education leaders look toward 2026, the design of K–12 and higher education facilities is being reshaped by powerful, converging forces. Survey respondents point to the rapid growth of Career and Technical Education, deeper alignment with workforce and industry needs, and the accelerating influence of AI and emerging technologies.

  • University of Arizona Approves New Residence Hall

    The Arizona Board of Regents recently approved plans for a new residence hall at the University of Arizona in Tucson, Ariz., according to a news release. The new facility is scheduled to open in fall 2028 and have the capacity for more than 1,200 students, enforcing a new university expectation that all first-year students live on campus.

  • LAN, Inc. Opens Office in College Station, Texas

    Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, Inc. (LAN) recently announced the opening of a new office in College Station, Texas, to support its regional client base, according to a news release. The organization provides engineering, design, and program management services for water, wastewater, transportation, stormwater, and education clients in the Brazos Valley.