CRA Architects delivered an early holiday present to The School District of Philadelphia with the Platinum Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council of Solomon Solis-Cohen Elementary, the largest elementary school in the district serving over 1,200 students.
Solis-Cohen is 50% more efficient than current national energy standards, over 30% of the building’s energy is produced by roof-top solar arrays while at the same time daylighting and creating views to over 90% of all spaces within the school, creating a warm and open environment for students in Northeast Philadelphia.
The school merges principals of 21st century collaborative school design with sustainability, safety and security designed around a series of “grade level schools within a school” creating a holistic environment and residential, nurturing scale for early learners recognized by The Association for Learning Environments nationally that embeds principals of Crime Prevention through Environmental Design.
Philadelphia’s sustainable measures at Solis-Cohen have been recognized at the state level with the award of an Alternative and Clean Energy Grant, funding over $2 Million of the building’s construction by the Department of Community and Economic Development of Pennsylvania.
A deeper dive into Solis-Cohen’s Platinum Certification, the highest level of sustainability recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council was achieved through a collaborative process from the inception of design between the Philadelphia’s Capital Projects Team, Solis-Cohen’s building team of educators and CRA’s led design team that discussed and embedded sustainability across all levels of the building.
The level of energy efficiency was achieved through a high efficiency mechanical system with redundant perimeter radiant panel system and air scrubbing technology that was forward thinking, being designed before the 2020 pandemic that helps improve air quality in a post COVID culture, where the important of healthy buildings is at forefront in design. The school further lowers energy use through an air barrier system that merges wall systems, windows, roof and the entire exterior envelope that was verified through testing guaranteeing minimal air loss, which is often the number one energy loss in schools today. Last, the school is lit throughout with LED lighting and daylight sensoring to reduce energy levels in 90% of the school that is naturally daylit during the school day.
Additional sustainable measures include low flow plumbing fixtures throughout the school. Water and energy metering to track usage and identify and address concerns during the operation of the school. Construction waste management that saw over 95% of construction waste diverted from landfills during construction. Recycled and regional materials sued throughout the building that have low and often zero emitting materials that exceeds national requirements for air quality in schools for the students.
Congratulations to The School District of Philadelphia for leading a team that embedded sustainability as a core principle creating a center of learning that is also an environmental steward for future generations. CRA Architects is privileged to have had the opportunity to serve the city and be part of your team.
