Add as a preferred source on Google

Spotlight on Sustainable Learning Facilities

  • 05/15/18

Sustainability has long been a topic of conversation, and focus of innovation for K12 districts around the country. School Planning & Management asked Christos Chrysiliou, director of Architectural & Engineering Services for the Los Angeles Unified School District, some questions about sustainable learning environments—a topic he is well versed in.

Q. Green and sustainable schools have been the standard for a while. What are some new and innovative features that are helping modern facilities to be greener than in previous years?

A. Developing healthy, sustainable learning environments have always been our goal. Some new innovative features that help modern facilities be more sustainable are automated smart systems that provide the occupant current conditions and health benefits of their surrounding environment, as well as provide them with the knowledge and understanding of such features. For example, occupants will know the indoor air quality of a space, the water quality, the lighting conditions, thermal comfort, and they can be adjusted based on occupant preferences. 

Systems that provide eco-literacy can help the occupants make smarter choices as they relate to the sustainability, while measuring the carbon footprints, based on the choices made. Some other innovative features include solar panel installation, with battery storage that must always be measured with the highest energy efficiency strategies. Future goals should include achieving zero-net energy, as well as active restoration of our natural environment.

Q. What are some overlooked elements of architecture and engineering that can make a school facility more sustainable?

A. It’s important to include the stakeholders and users, and incorporate natural sustainable physical elements in the planning and design process. For example, building orientation, daylighting, ventilation, mass, envelope, and surroundings are some of the characteristics that are, unfortunately, overlooked. Creating or incorporating natural elements in our designs helps promote healthy learning environments.

Q. Are there any ways to get students and staff involved in making a facility sustainable, or using it as a teaching tool?

A. Yes! There are many ways to make a facility sustainable by involving students and faculty. By promoting eco-literacy through the understanding and usage of building systems, the occupants can better appreciate their environment. By teaching concepts of sustainability and high-performance design, including energy efficiency analysis, building envelope, lighting control systems, etc., we can apply STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) as part of the school curriculum. We can also empower our students and faculty with the knowledge and understanding of the built environment by providing them the opportunity to be a part of the design we developed with environmental stewardship. This will help prepare them for future careers.

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