Add as a preferred source on Google

A Colorful, Sustainable Journey

  • 06/01/17
Fred and Sara Machetanz Elementary School 

The Fred and Sara Machetanz Elementary School, in Wasilla, was the first school in Alaska to receive the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Certification, and Interface was an important part of the journey to sustainability.

Throughout Alaska, especially in rural and suburban areas, schools often play a much bigger role than simply places to learn. They also serve as gathering places for plays, sporting and political events and other activities, generating a deep sense of pride throughout the community.

That’s been the case for Fred and Sara Machetanz Elementary School.

It achieved distinguished status as a beacon of sustainability and beauty in the community, thanks to a commitment to multi-purpose functionality and serious design flexibility.

The Fred and Sara Machetanz Elementary School, in Wasilla, was the first school in Alaska to receive the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Certification, earning silver.

Backed by that honor, the school, located in a former gravel pit and named after a prominent Alaskan painter and his wife, has emerged as a pioneer for sustainability in the Matanuska Susitna Borough.

Brought in by Anchorage based architectural firm McCool Carlson Green, Interior Designer Cathy Kerr made sure Interface was a component in the journey. High recycled-content products contributed to the more than 30 percent total recycled content needed for the building to achieve its LEED certification. Plus, Interface products help maintain an increased indoor air quality in the school since tiles install with no glue and meet the highest standards for indoor air quality. And then there’s the aesthetics.

Kerr carefully selected bold color combinations to contrast against Alaska’s monochromatic winter landscape while creating a stimulating learning environment. According to Kerr, “We know that people respond better in a full color spectrum environment.”

The result was an all around win, says Mat-Su Borough Facilities Manager Don Carney. “We liked the design so much that we’re going to build two more using that as a prototype.”

www.interface.com

This article originally appeared in the issue of .

Featured

  • Los Angeles City College Breaks Ground on New Administration, Workforce Building

    Los Angeles City College (LACC) in Los Angeles, Calif., recently broke ground on a new $72-million administrative facility, according to a news release. The Cesar Chavez Administration and Workforce Building will stand four stories, cover 67,230 square feet, and play home to a wide variety of the school’s educational and administrative services.

  • Texas State University Completes Stadium Renovations

    Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas, recently announced that it has completed a series of additions and renovations to its football stadium, according to a news release. Formerly known as the Bobcat Stadium End Zone Complex, the Johnny and Nathali Weisman Football Performance Center is an 85,000-square-foot expansion featuring hospitality spaces, banquet spaces, exterior concourses, and upgrades to the field house.

  • FAU Starts Construction on Holocaust and Jewish Studies Building

    Florida Atlantic University recently began construction on a new academic building for its campus in Boca Raton, Fla., according to university news. The Kurt and Marilyn Wallach Holocaust and Jewish Studies Building will stand two stories, measure in at 22,000 square feet, and play home to the university’s Holocaust education and Jewish studies programs.

  • Empowering People Through Smart, Sustainable Campuses

    Sustainability is facing increasing scrutiny, with some questioning its costs and priorities. Yet for universities, it remains an essential driver of resilience, operational efficiency and long-term competitiveness. At the same time, there is a growing recognition that sustainable transformation is not just about reducing energy consumption and emissions to comply with tightening regulations ‒ it’s about creating vibrant, comfortable environments where people can thrive, innovate and connect. For university leadership, this is a complex balancing act, with rising energy costs and limited budgets only adding to the challenge.

Digital Edition