Skip to main content
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

  • Vanderbilt to Partner with ABM for Campus Preservation and Modernization

    Vanderbilt University recently announced that it has selected ABM Performance Solutions for a preservation and modernization project at its New York City campus, according to a news release. ABM will deliver its end-to-end ABM Performance Solutions (APS) model to manage critical operations during renovation and maintenance.

  • Philadelphia Middle School Facility Earns LEED Gold Certification

    The Alternative Middle Years (AMY) at James Martin Middle School in Philadelphia, Penn., recently received a LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, according to a news release. The School District of Pennsylvania partnered with KSS Architects on the project.

  • Wenger Names New Vice President of Sales for Performing Arts, Controls

    Wenger Corporation, which provides products and solutions for music and theater education, performing arts and athletic storage, recently announced the hiring of a new Vice President of Sales for Performing Arts and Controls.

  • Virginia Tech Tops Out New College of Engineering Building

    Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va., recently celebrated the topping out of Mitchell Hall, which will soon stand as the largest College of Engineering building on campus, according to a news release. The university partnered with Skanska on the 285,500-square-foot facility, which has an expected completion date of winter 2028.