Educational facilities are jumping on board with LEED certification and sustainable design practices in construction. Whether you’re interested in entering the educational sector or simply a person who has gone to school and sat in an educational facility for most of your childhood and adolescence, this should be very exciting. The USGBC began pushing a new initiative this month that encourages legislative representatives from each of the fifty states to hold private caucuses to address the issue of green building for schools. Not only will green buildings improve the quality of the learning experience by allowing for better interior conditions, but they will also train the future generations on what makes a building healthy for both the occupant and the earth. The USGBC reports that over 1000 school buildings have or are pursuing LEED green school certifications at this point.
Imagine sitting in a classroom where the lighting designer and architect carefully thought out the position of windows and fluorescent fixtures to reduce glare and utilize all natural daylighting. Imagine: no headaches or asthma attacks resulting from poor construction maintneance or high VOC materials. Taking care of the environmental aspects of design will also take care of the student, there's no doubt about it!
Currently there is a bill awaiting response from the Senate that proposes 6.4 billion dollars to be used for the repair and construction of schools. This bill, the “21st Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act,” would allow schools the funds necessary not only to continue building, but to build to a higher standard. If you are interested in learning more about what your state is doing for the “Fifty for Fifty” green school initiative, visit http://www.usgbc.org/News/PressReleaseDetails.aspx?ID=3811
Universities are concerned with building green as well, as they should be. Environmental awareness is a major initiative and should be focused on in our schools of higher learning. Research models, competitions, case studies, etc have been implemented nation wide to learn more about the relationship between sustainable building and educational facilities. Business Week's article from last week gives a few examples. http://www.businessweek.com/bschools/content/sep2008/bs2008099_035677.htm
