Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Florida Net-Zero High School Completes $29M Expansion Project

  • By Matt Jones
  • 06/25/24

NeoCity Academy in Kissimmee, Fla., recently completed a 53,000-square-foot, three-story addition to its campus, according to a news release. The school partnered with construction firm Skanska on the project, which includes 26 new classrooms with collaborative learning spaces and labs. NeoCity Academy was the first net-zero high school campus in the state of Florida, the news release reports.

The expansion includes sustainability features like a photovoltaic canopy that provides solar energy as well as shade and shelter, LED lighting, and designated space for future rooftop solar panels. The project also involved detailing and expanding the school’s building envelope to reduce air leakage and control temperature, air, and humidity. Window placement and sizing were also taken into account to minimize the school’s energy use and heat gain.

“We’re excited to deliver this sustainability-focused expansion to NeoCity Academy and the School District of Osceola County,” said Skanska Vice President Daniel Abou-Jaoude. “This project is a testament to Skanska’s commitment to construct innovative and forward-thinking educational facilities throughout the state.”

The project also features a photovoltaic “mixer” space that acts as a gathering space for faculty and students. Other site improvements include a new canopy and covered walkway that create both outdoor learning spaces and increased accessibility between buildings, according to the news release.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Hawaii Elementary School Reopens Following $25M Campus Modernization

    Haʻaheo Elementary School in Hilo, Hawaii, has reopened to students following a three-year, $25-million campus modernization and expansion project that significantly increases the school's instructional space while preserving one of the island's oldest educational institutions, according to local news.

  • AAADM Announces Building Safety Month Initiatives

    The American Association of Automatic Door Manufacturers (AAADM) recently announced its support of Building Safety Month as declared by the International Code Council (ICC), according to a news release.

  • Year-Round Schools Require Year-Round Indoor Air Quality Planning

    While many schools are out for the summer, year-round schools follow a more “balanced” schedule with shorter, more frequent breaks spaced throughout the school year. Even though this offers educational benefits, these facilities have less downtime for building maintenance. This can become an issue when facilities managers overlook the importance of routine HVAC maintenance and air duct cleaning services.

  • Classical building columns display digital data streams

    The Campus Nervous System: Why Facilities Risk Is Now a Leadership Issue in Higher Education

    Facility performance now intersects with safety, compliance, on-campus experience, institutional reputation, and financial resilience. That places it firmly on the leadership agenda.