Kennedy Elementary - LEED

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Project Description

  • Kennedy Elementary School is a new campus built on the grounds of the former Allen Elementary School in Houston’s Independence Heights neighborhood. This 87,340-square-foot facility is built to accommodate 750 students from pre-K through fifth grade. The layout of the academic pods radiate from the media center. Each pod contains classrooms, teacher workroom, restrooms plus a commons area for small group activities. In addition to 36 classrooms, there are specialty rooms for art, science and computer. Separate from the quieter academic areas are the active dining/multi-purpose with stage, adjacent music room and administrative suite. The school was designed to achieve LEED Silver.
  • LEED - Sustainable Overview
    Sustainable Overview
    • Two-story design to allow increased open space and natural water percolation to reduce runoff
    • Stormwater control improved with bio-swales and debris interceptors
    • Light-colored roofing and paving utilized to reduce the “heat island” effect
  • LEED - Water Efficiency
    Water Efficiency
    • Low flow plumbing fixtures with automatic flush valves
    • Water efficient drip irrigation system and native drought resistant planting
  • LEED - Energy & Atmosphere
    Energy & Atmosphere
    • Enhanced commissioning of building energy systems performed to ensure peak efficiency
    • Energy modeling for 19% savings over ASRAE 90.1 baseline
    • All mechanical equipment has been selected to operate with non-CFC based refrigerants
    • All mechanical are automatically monitored and controlled ensuring comfort and energy efficiency
    • Energy analysis predicts a 19% energy savings over the LEED model standard
  • LEED - Materials & Resources
    Materials & Resources
    • Exterior finishes include brick, EIFS and prefinished metal for high durability over the life of the building
    • Regional materials utilized and over 75% construction waste recycled
    • Cementitious roof decking serves as a structural deck, finish ceiling and acoustical control
    • Terrazzo floors at first floor corridors for low life-cycle maintenance cost
  • LEED - Indoor Environmental Quality
    Indoor Environmental Quality
    • Indoor air quality management plan implemented during construction and tested prior to occupancy
    • No or low VOCs utilized in paints, sealants, adhesives
    • All classrooms and offices have windows for natural light and views to the exterior
    • High acoustical performance between classrooms with sound attenuation batts and high NRC ceilings
  • LEED - Innovation in Design
    Innovation in Design
    • HISD has implemented a program utilizing green cleaning products and equipment
    • The design team created a curriculum which uses the School as a Teaching Tool

  • Achievements

    19%
    reduction in energy consumption
    38%
    reduction in water use
    29%
    recycled content of materials
    37%
    use of local/regional materials
    78%
    construction waste diverted from landfill

  • LEED® Facts

    LEED® for Schools (v2007)

    Certification Pending

    Seeking Silver
    37*
    Sustainable Sites
    7/16
    Water Efficiency
    3/7
    Energy & Atmosphere
    5/17
    Materials & Resources
    7/13
    Indoor Environmental Quality
    12/19
    Innovation
    3/6

    * Out of a possible 78 points
  • Project Information
    • Owner: Houston Independent School District (HISD)
    • Address: 400 Victoria Drive, Houston, TX 77022
    • Architect: Matrix Spencer Architects
    • Civil Engineer: Gooden Consulting Engineers, Inc.
    • MEP Engineer: Holste & Assoc, Inc.
    • LEED Commissioning Agent: BB Commissioning
    • Contractor: Comex Corporation
    • Project Size: 87,340 SF
    • Project Budget: $16,881,332
    • Opened: January 2012

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.