Georgina Blach Intermediate School

Project Summary

Pacific Gas and Electric Company
San Francisco, California

Project Location:
Los Altos, California

Project Type:
Educational

Size:
75,000 square feet

Year Occupied:
2002

Project Details

Georgina Blach Intermediate School is a Collaborative for High Performance Schools demonstration school. This project is a model for incorporating cost-effective energy saving features into construction and renovation school projects. Daylighting and natural ventilation features, not only save energy but also provide a more comfortable and productive learning environment for students and staff. Use of sustainable materials and adaptive reuse of existing structures exemplify conservation of resources, and reduce impact on site. Good landscaping design through planting new trees and preservation of existing trees, create shaded areas to cool the micro-environment around the buildings and encourage use of outdoor spaces as nodes of recreation and social interaction.

Sustainable Design Features

Light colored "cool" roof to reduce heat gain and increase roof life.
Optimizing fenestration glazing, size, location, exterior shades and light shelves to reduce glare and solar gains, and improve daylight distribution and visual comfort.
Installing dimming ballasts with photocell control to reduce electric light output when adequate daylight is available.
Reducing proposed lighting energy consumption by 50%, through appropriate layout and efficient direct/indirect lighting fixtures.
Natural ventilation through optimizing opening size, location and operability, to provide passive night cooling.
Intermittent fan control to minimize fan operation.
Efficient outdoor lighting design through the use of an astronomic clock, pulse start HID lamps and motion sensors.