Peachjar

PVEA Renovations




 

Morgan Hill Unified School District

MHUSD – Paradise Valley Engineering Academy

LEED Project Summary
 

     

 

LEED Certified v4

Project Information

Owner: Morgan Hill Unified School District

Architect: McKim Architects

General Contractor: Calstate Construction Inc.

LEED Consultant: Brightworks Sustainability
 

LEED Credits | Cincinnati Custom Home Builder | Terry Inman Custom ...

SURROUNDING DENSITY AND DIVERSE USES

Paradise Valley Engineering Academy promotes walkability and transportation efficiency and helps to reduce vehicle distance traveled.  We also help to conserve land and protect farmland and wildlife habitats by utilizing the existing infrastructure. This location also facilitates access to at least six diverse used. We improve public health as well by encouraging daily physical activity.  

REDUCING OUR PARKING FOOTPRINT

Our elementary school provides an efficient parking system that helps to result in decreased congestion and carbon emissions, improved productivity and provide economic opportunities, and reduce unnecessary paved areas.  The impervious surface of most parking spaces has environmental and financial benefits and helps eliminate runoff from impervious surfaces that can overwhelm municipal stormwater systems and flush contaminant into waterways. 



 

REDUCING OUR INDOOR WATER USE

The conservation and creative reuse of water are important because only 3% of Earth’s water is freshwater, and of that, slightly over two-thirds is trapped in glaciers.  Typically, most of a building’s water cycles through the building and then flows off-site as wastewater. The focus of the interiors version of the WE category is indoor water for fixtures, appliances, and processes. Several kinds of documentation span these components, depending on the project’s specific water-saving strategies.

The design of the administration was based on an “efficiency first” approach to water conservation. To reduce burden on municipal water supply ultra-low-flow plumbing fixtures were installed.

ENERGY EFFICINCY

Energy efficiency reduces the environmental burdens of producing and using energy and saves on operating costs. Research shows that the process of extracting and consuming fossil fuels for energy use has a huge impact on climate change as well as environmental and human health. The EPA estimates that if all buildings reduced their energy consumption by 10% it would equate to taking 30 million vehicles off the road. 

We are working hard to achieve increasing levels of energy performance beyond the prerequisite standard to reduce environmental and economic harms associated with excessive energy use by: 

  • Using efficient HVAC equipment

  • Providing zoning controls capable of sensing space conditions and modulating the HVAC system in response to space demand for all private offices and other enclosed spaces.

  • Providing occupancy sensor connected the lighting system

  • Reducing connected lighting power density 36% compared to a ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1–2010 baseline 

  • Using ENERGY STAR label equipment for 100% of eligible equipment 

COMMISSIONING

Fundamental and enhanced commissioning of the MEP systems ensures that the design, construction, and eventual operation of a project that meets the Owner’s Project Requirements for energy, water, indoor environmental quality, and durability.

ENCOURAGING EMISSION REDUCTION

We have purchased renewable energy credits and carbon offsets, for 100% of the total energy used by the project, annually for at least 5 years. This will encourage the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions using grid-source, renewable energy technologies and carbon mitigation projects. 



 

CONSTRUCTION DEMOLITION WASTE MANAGEMENT

Construction and demolition generate an enormous amount of waste, the majority of which can be recycled. We diverted a total of 76% construction waste over the course of construction, reducing burden on the local landfill.

INTERIORS LIFE-CYCLE IMPACT REDUCTION 

Our long term site choice is conserving resources and reducing environmental harm from materials manufacturing and transport as we are avoiding relocation.  We are using fourteen products and materials for which life-cycle information is available and have environmentally, economically, and socially preferable life-cycle impacts.

Martin Murphy Middle School was able to benefit as well by implementing 100% of the previous administrative furniture and furnishings.

ENVIRONMENTAL PRODUCT DECLARATION 

Priority of material and product selection were given to manufacturers who supported transparency and verified improved environmental life-cycle impacts.  The project used over 16 products with Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), which detail life-cycle information economically and socially preferable life-cycle impacts. 

RESPONSIBLE MATERIAL SOURCING 

Priority of material selection were given to manufacturers who extracted and sourced in a responsible manner. A significant amount of sustainable building materials contained recycled content. In addition, we prioritized our new wood budget to wood-based products that are Forest Stewardship Council certified.

MATERIAL INGREDIENT DISCLOSURE

Priority of material and product selection were given to manufacturers who verified improved life-cycle impacts.  The project used over 12 products with material ingredient disclosure reports, which inventoried chemical ingredients of each product to least 1000ppm and minimized the use and generation of harmful substances. 

 

ENHANCED INDOOR AIR QUALITY 

The indoor built environment plays a critical role in our overall well-being, both due to the amount of time we spend indoors and the ability of buildings to influence our health positively or negatively. Concentrations of pollutants are much higher indoors that outside and the thousands of chemicals found in building materials are known to have significant health impacts. 

Recognizing the importance of occupants’ comfort, well-being, and productivity, we are monitoring CO2 concentrations within all densely occupied spaces.  

One of the greatest sources of indoor pollutants is dirt and other contaminants brought into buildings on people's shoes. To prevent this, we installed permanent entryway systems that are at least ten feet long in the primary direction of travel.

We have developed and implemented an indoor air quality (IAQ) management plan for the construction and preoccupancy phases of the building to promote the well-being of construction workers and building occupants by minimizing indoor air quality issues associated with construction and renovation. 

THERMAL COMFORT

To promote occupants’ productivity, comfort, and well-being, we are providing our staff, students, and guests a comfortable thermal environment by ensuring the administration building system stays within a comfortable range of air temperatures, radiant temperatures, humidity, and air speeds during design weather conditions.

LOW EMITTING MATERIALS

We have purchased low-emitting materials including adhesives, sealants, paints, coatings, flooring, and composite wood products were installed in the building. These materials reduced the exposure of building occupants to high VOC (volatile organic compounds) content.

INTERIOR LIGHTING CONTROLS 

Lighting controls have been installed to enable 100% of occupants to make adjustments to suit individual task needs and preferences. In addition, lighting controls have been provided for 100% of the shared multi-occupant spaces. Better lighting controls not only enhance occupant comfort, productivity and satisfaction, but also increases the energy efficiency of a lighting system.  Building occupants have a connection to the natural outdoor environment by providing quality views through our large windows.

QUALITY VIEWS 

To promote a connection to the natural outdoor environment, the project provided over 81% of regularly occupied areas with views to flora, fauna, sky, and movement. 

Paradise Valley Engineering Academy has achieved exceptional and innovative performance.

  • We achieved exemplary performance by reducing the amount of mercury used for lighting.

  • Green building education provided by a case study and tour script.

  • We are following a green cleaning policy and integrated pest management plans.

  • ALEED certified professional has been utilized to streamline the application and certification process.  In addition, our Director has obtained LEED certification.