German School's Science Building Gets LEED Gold

Potomac's newest green building—the new science building at the German School of Washington, DC—recently received LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, according to an announcement from the school.

The LEED certification system ranks buildings from a variety of building types according to how environmentally-friendly they were built and how ecologically they function. There are four levels of LEED certification: Platinum, Gold, Silver and a basic Certification level.

The German School's new science building was designed by the architectural firm of Geier Brown Renfrow, and has classrooms for chemistry, physics, biology and general science, each room with state-of-the-art equipment for lab science classes for grades four through 12, the news statement reported. (The school, with more than 540 students, teaches students at all levels, from preschool through high school.)

"Buildings are a prime example of how human systems integrate with natural systems," said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chair of the USGBC. The school's new science building "efficiently uses our natural resources and makes an immediate, positive impact on our planet, which will tremendously benefit future generations to come."

The school's science building is the first building of any German School in North America to receive LEED Gold Certification, which was based on several "green" features, according to the school's statement, including:

• Green roof: Several layers of different materials on the roof store rainwater used for carefully selected low-maintenance plants that grow on the very top layer of the roof. This reduces stormwater runoff and provides a habitat for wildlife. 
• Rain screen facade: Ventilated rain-screen cladding creates a comfortable ambient climate, protecting the building against harsh weather conditions and considerably reducing heating and air conditioning costs. 
• Innovative lighting solutions: Light shelves prevent unwanted direct sunlight, which is a source of glare, from entering the classrooms. The shelves reflect sunlight onto the ceiling, minimizing glare and boosting light levels. Prismatic glazing allows natural light to be redirected more effectively throughout the classrooms. These features significantly reduce electrical costs. 
• Occupancy sensors: Energy savings are maximized by light switches that turn off interior electric lighting when a room is not occupied for a certain amount of time. A timer also controls lights for after-hours shut-off.
• Water Conservation: Dual flush toilets and waterless urinals conserve considerable amounts of water.
• Stormwater use: Retention basins redirect stormwater subsequently treated by a number of physical and biological processes. This clean water then is allowed to infiltrate grounds and waters nearby.
• Use of recycled materials: Recycled materials were used throughout the building, reducing waste and landfill use, and contributing to a healthy interior environment.