June 5, 2008 Issue                                       

©2007 The Chestnut Hill Local

Chestnut Hill Academy gets $1 million

A recent $1 million grant from a private family foundation will support Chestnut Hill Academy’s goal of creating a LEED-certified learning facility — the Science & Technology Center — that is a living demonstration of environmental sustainability.  LEED is the acronym for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.

From the permeable surface parking lot with surrounding arboretum, rain collection ponds, and storm water management systems to grey-water collection tanks for plant irrigation and use in toilets, CHA’s new building will serve as a hands-on environmental teaching tool. Photovoltaic cells, solar panels, and a wind turbine on the rooftop, along with a state-of-the-art “meter wall” in the main lobby incorporating analytical software and interactive display will enable students and visitors to monitor and compare the building’s energy use and efficiencies. Interactive educational signage in and outside the building will build interest and curiosity about the state-of-the-art technologies and explain how they are working to create a more sustainable environment.

In a letter to Headmaster Frank Steel announcing the grant, the foundation praised the school for its efforts “to provide an exceptional learning experience for your students, while creating an environmentally friendly Science & Technology Center.”

“We thought it was important to set an example for our students and our community by taking a leadership role in educational and environmental responsibility,” explains Steel. “The foundation’s incredibly significant and generous demonstration of support has reinforced and validated our decision, from the earliest stages of our planning, to build “green.”

The excitement generated by the design and construction of the new facility has already led to heightened environmental awareness and action within the school community. This year, students formed an Eco Club, which, as one of its initiatives, helped to collect more than a ton of e-junk in a recent Earth Day drive. Also this year, the school expanded its recycling program school-wide.

The new Science and Technology Center will be LEED Silver/Gold-certified, meaning it meets the highest environmental standards established by the United States Green Building Council. LEED is a rating system used as a benchmark in the design, construction, and operation of green buildings. LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in six areas:  sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, indoor environmental quality, and innovation. 

CHA’s  Science and Technology Center was designed by the architectural firm Lilley Dadagian and is being constructed by Turner. Both firms were selected for their work with numerous schools throughout the country in creating innovative, vibrant learning environments through the integration of “green” technologies into science and technology classrooms.

In addition to its environmentally sensitive design, the facility will support an innovative and dynamic curriculum for the sciences and technology. The 23,000-square-foot building will include four Upper School classrooms/laboratories for biology, chemistry, and physics, each of which is designed to accommodate multiple disciplines, a dedicated robotics/mechanical engineering classroom, and tool shop/work room, all designed to be visible and engaging to younger students as they pass along the hallways to encourage curiosity and interest among Lower School students. A wireless outdoor classroom is also being incorporated for use by the entire school community.