Frost Elementary - LEED Profile

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Project Description

  • Frost Elementary is a new replacement school for 750 students with 85,700 square feet. The new facility is a one-story, steel-framed, brick veneer exterior with metal siding in selected areas. A central north/south entry hall contains the administration suite and the library/media center. A linear east/west secondary hall has grade clusters and labs/specialist classrooms. Activity zoning is related to noise levels. Geometric shapes in utility headers and wisdom word walk at the entrance reinforce the school as a learning tool. The school has numerous energy-efficient mechanical and architectural features that adhere to the USGBC green building design strategies. The school is designed for LEED certification.
  • LEED - Sustainable Overview
    Sustainable Overview
    • 11 acre site; building footprint minimized; 75% to be restored and protected
    • Maximized most of the site for open green space
    • Cool roof; roofing surfaces have low reflectance
  • LEED - Water Efficiency
    Water Efficiency
    • Low water usage with native and naturalized plants and vegetation
    • Water efficiency – no landscape irrigation system or potable water
    • Low water use plumbing fixtures and automatic shut-off faucets
    • Visible water storage tanks for irrigation use
  • LEED - Energy & Atmosphere
    Energy & Atmosphere
    • Building systems designed to achieve 21% efficiency above standard baseline building
    • Light sensors in the main corridors and classrooms & High efficient glazing
    • All mechanical equipment and kitchen refrigeration units operate with non-CFC based refrigerants
  • LEED - Materials & Resources
    Materials & Resources
    • Regional and local materials used: brick, paint, metal roof & siding, aluminum windows
    • Materials with recycled content: (toilet partitions, carpet, doors, fiberglass insulation
    • Recycling program that salvages paper, plastic, aluminum and glass
    • Construction waste management
  • LEED - Indoor Environmental Air Quality
    Indoor Environmental Air Quality
    • The mechanical system is designed to meet or exceed ASHRAE Standard 62-1999
    • Construction indoor air quality management plan for during and before occupancy
    • Building equipped with CO2 monitors
    • Low volatile organic compound (VOC) paints and adhesives were used throughout the project, also including Green Label carpet
    • Day lighting/ exterior views - 97% of regularly occupied spaces
    • Operable windows for natural ventilation
  • LEED - Innovation in Design
    Innovation in Design
    • School building used as a Teaching Tool
      • Math formulas and shapes integrated in design
      • Uplifting words of wisdom reinforces Schools core educational mission
    • A rainwater collection system – tree and shrub irrigation
    • Implemented ‘Green Courses’ – parts of school building as part of science & social studies curriculum
  • Achievements

    21%
    reduction in energy consumption
    35%
    reduction in water use
    55%
    recycled content of materials
    67%
    use of local/regional materials
  • LEED® Facts

    LEED® for Schools (v2007)

    Certification awarded Jan 2013

    Silver
    37*
    Sustainable Sites
    7/16
    Water Efficiency
    2/7
    Energy & Atmosphere
    5/17
    Materials & Resources
    6/13
    Indoor Environmental Quality
    11/19
    Innovation
    6/6

    * Out of a possible 78 points

  • Project Information
    • Owner: Houston Independent School District (HISD)
    • Address: 5002 Almeda Genoa, Houston, TX 77048
    • Architect: RDC Architects
    • Civil Engineer: ESPA CORP, Inc.
    • MEP Engineer: Infrastructure Associates, Inc.
    • Commissioning Agent: Rice & Gardner Consultants Inc.
    • Contractor: Cadence McShane Corp.
    • Project Size: 85,700 SF
    • Project Budget: $15,084,301
    • Opened: August 2011

LEED Document

  • About LEED®
    The LEED® (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System is the national benchmark for the design, construction, and operations of high-performance green buildings. Visit the U.S.Green Building Council’s Web site at www.usgbc.org to learn more about how you can make LEED® work for you.