Bensonwood architect Randall Walter, AIA, LEED AP led an education lab at this year’s Greenbuild Conference in New Orleans titled, “School Building as Teacher: Design for the Future.” Learning objectives for the session were to understand:
- Outcomes of promoting social change through synergistic curriculum and building/campus design.
- Impacts of building systems and resource transparency on student learning.
- The synergies between green building and impacts on student learning.
- •Unintended consequences and learning opportunities from this project.
Built and opened to students in 2012, Burr and Burton Academy’s Mountain Campus is an innovative model for place-based environmental education. From campus design and construction to curriculum design and execution, all elements of the process have worked to maximize the success of the program mission: to be a catalyst for student growth as individuals, members of communities, and citizens of a sustainable world.
Walter discussed design concepts that helped the campus achieve “net zero” targets, as well as biophilic design, student experiences monitoring the building’s energy performance, living in and caring for the space, and the ripple effects of student experiences. The design, construction and active use process, including initial design goals, site evaluation, review of LEED criteria, design process charette, site schedule and assembly of the building, occupation, and daily and seasonal changes during the first two years of operation were discussed.
This award-winning project exemplifies how a school design can benefit both students and education professionals. Emphasis on the connections between effective learning environments, innovative green design, and the natural environment are at the heart of the educational program and creative process for this building.
Greenbuild is the world’s largest conference and expo dedicated to green building. The ideals and passion of the green building community come alive at Greenbuild. Greenbuild also brings together industry leaders, experts and frontline professionals dedicated to sustainable building in their everyday work, and a unique energy is sparked.
