From the initial stages of project planning, the School District of Philadelphia made the decision to be a good neighbor, responsible steward of the environment and lead by example in integrating sustainable design and construction practices into the new Commodore John Barry Elementary School project. Using the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED for New Construction v2.2 Rating System as a guide, the new 103,000-square-foot elementary school incorporates sustainable design strategies, which reduce the negative environmental impacts associated with site development, promote student and staff health, and reduce consumption of water, energy and virgin materials. The Commodore John Barry Elementary School project was awarded LEED Gold certification in 2009. 

The eighth largest school district in the United States, the School District of Philadelphia faces unique challenges shared with many other large urban districts, including constrained budgets, aging facilities and rising operating expenses. As part of the more than $1.5 billion capital program launched in 2002, the school district made the commitment that the new Commodore John Barry School would be a environmentally responsible model following district standards to replace the previous school building, which was destroyed by fire years prior, on the same site.  

Each classroom experiences ample daylight due to large windows that extend to the full height of the ceiling. Sheer window shades are provided in each space to protect against glare yet still allow views to the exterior. Photo Credit: Matt Wargo

The new four-story building is located on a corner lot at 5900 Race Street within the dense urban fabric of a residential west Philadelphia neighborhood. With a fairly confined 43,650-square-foot project site, the decision was made to provide as large an outdoor play area for the students on the ground floor as possible. Maintaining space for the playground and basketball area on the project site challenged the design team to develop a 103,000-square-foot elementary school within a four-story scheme that incorporates additional outdoor learning labs on the fourth floor of the building adjacent to specialty classrooms such as science, music and the library.   

Energy usage in the new building was a key aspect of the overall design. Upon approaching the exterior of the building, it is evident that the large windows allow natural light to permeate the interior. Classrooms and all core learning spaces were designed extending exterior glazing flush to the ceiling allowing more than 95 percent of interior spaces to be adequately day lit without artificial lighting. This design decision allows interior classroom lighting to be used sparingly, greatly reducing the electricity consumption in the building and minimizing waste heat.

In the cafeteria, windows extend to the full height of the ceiling to allow for a greater amount of daylight to penetrate farther into the space. Photo Credit: Matt Wargo

Throughout the design, building elements were integrated to engage students to learn how and why their green building is unique. For example, students measure the amount of rainwater captured from the building’s roof and its recycled porous rubber outdoor play area. The rainwater is collected in a cistern under the building and used to flush toilets and urinals throughout core student restrooms on each floor.

Dual-flush toilets, low-flow urinals, and low-flow lavatories were installed throughout the school to save more than 50 percent in potable water use. In addition to the careful measures taken to reduce electricity use and potable water, the HVAC system and building envelope were designed to deliver a building anticipated to perform nearly 30 percent better than a comparable code-compliant building due in part to the glass, glazed brick and insulated metal wall panel exterior.  

The four-story elementary school is situated on a constrained, urban site. The gymnasium is located in the center of the building to allow for classroom spaces to line the perimeter and benefit from daylight and views. Photo Credit: Matt Wargo

Over a year and a half after the completion of the new school in August 2008, the School District of Philadelphia remains a leader in the K-12 sustainability movement in large urban districts throughout the United States. Based on the success of the design, construction and LEED-certification process at the new Commodore John Barry Elementary school, the district is committed to delivering, at a minimum, LEED Silver facilities in all new construction projects moving forward with four new buildings seeking certification currently in design and construction.  

Realizing the inherent benefits to the environment, education and bottom line, with more than 280 existing schools throughout the city of Philadelphia, the School District of Philadelphia has committed to explore LEED for Existing Buildings, Operations & Maintenance certification for their vast portfolio of facilities to further extend their positive commitment to sustainability in K-12 education. 

Sidebar: Commodore John Barry Elementary School

Improved insulation values in exterior wall construction, coupled with high-performance glazing, contribute to significant energy savings. Photo Credit: Matt Wargo Sidebar: Commodore John Barry Elementary School

Location: Philadelphia, Pa.
Size: 100,943 square feet
Date Completed: 2008
Certification: LEED Gold Certification New Construction V.2.2

Project Team

Owner: The School District of Philadelphia
Architect of Record: Ross Barney Architects
Associate Architect: The Sheward Partnership LLC
LEED & Sustainability Manager: The Sheward Partnership LLC
Structural & Civil Engineer: CSA Group
Mechanical, Plumbing & Electrical Engineer: CSA Group
Fire Protection & Special Systems Engineer: E&M Engineering
General Contractor: Daniel J. Keating Co.
Construction Manager: STV Corp.
Landscape Architect: Wiedmann - Zelig Group
Photographer: Matt Wargo

Sidebar: Green Building Materials

Skylights provide natural daylighting in stairways. All interior paints were selected to emit little or no volatile organic compounds, which can be harmful to occupant health. Photo Credit: Matt Wargo

Sloan Uppercut manual dual-flush Flushometers

Contributed to more than 50 percent water-use savings when compared to a conventional facility.

Armstrong Ceilings acoustical ceiling tile

· Acoustical Fine Fissured and Clean Room Ceiling Tile
· Contains 1 percent post-consumer recycled content and 37 percent pre-consumer recycled content.
· Contains approximately 5 percent rapidly renewable materials.
· Manufactured within 75 miles of the project site.
· Contains approximately 7 percent raw materials that were extracted within 500 miles of the project site.
· MetalWorks Mesh metal suspension system
· Contain 25 percent pre-consumer recycled content.
· Prelude Grid metal suspension system
· Contain 25 percent pre-consumer recycled content.
· Manufactured within 65 miles of the project site.
· Contains approximately 98 percent raw materials that were extracted within 500 miles of the project site.
· Axoim metal suspension system
· Contains 50 percent pre-consumer recycled content.

USG Gypsum wall board

· Fiberock Gypsum Wall Board
· Contains 95 percent post-consumer recycled content.
· Manufactured within 280 miles of the project site.
· Contains approximately 100 percent raw materials that were extracted within 500 miles of the project site.
· Sheetrock Gypsum Wall Board
· Contains 5 percent post-consumer recycled content and 19 percent pre-consumer recycled content.

J&J Commercial, Invision Carpet Systems carpet tiles

Carpet Tile with eKo backing meets the requirements of the Carpet and Rug Institute’s Green Label Plus Program.
The associated carpet adhesive, SS3 by Chapco, is also a low-emitting product and contains no volatile organic compounds.
Carpet tile with eKo backing contains 15 percent pre-consumer recycled content.

Republic Storage Systems Co. Inc. metal lockers

Metal lockers contain 80 percent pre-consumer recycled content.recycled content.

Centria insulated core metal wall panels

Contributed to 34 percent energy cost savings when compared to a conventional facility.
Product contains 16 percent post-consumer recycled content and 6 percent pre-consumer recycled content.