Sims Architects Inc.

The Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials (PASBO) and Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators (PASA) had a challenge on their hands - their existing building was undersized and outdated. The solution? Purchase a larger facility.
Both prestigious associations, which serve the 501 school districts in Pennsylvania, wanted to do more than gain additional space  and parking - they wanted the renovation to achieve LEED certification.  Certification would benefit their project and, hopefully, encourage school districts across the state to undertake LEED certification on their construction and renovation projects. 
While the two organizations never wavered in their commitment to undertaking a LEED project, it was more challenging to determine what certification to achieve.  While LEED EB (Existing Building) seemed logical, it can only be achieved if the building has been occupied prior  to renovations.  In this case, the building had been vacant, and there was no reliable data on utility costs. While LEED CI (Commercial Interiors) was a viable option, the organizations ultimately decided that LEED NC (New Construction) was more in keeping with what school districts in Pennsylvania would be undertaking on their projects.  

We are excited to send you our first “Schooldesigner Greenpiece “, highlighting articles, products and interesting information about green schools/sustainable educational facilities. Next month you will see our regular monthly Schooldesigner e-newsletter. In addition, every month or so,we will send out our Schooldesigner Greenpiece. As always, we are committed to showing creative school designs, high quality school design products, talented school design professionals and now...Green School information. We all need more green in 2009, Joel K. Sims President Sims Architechts, Inc.

Since there was little to be reutilized in the existing 13,000-sq.-ft. building, it was almost entirely gutted. One of the first tasks undertaken was determining what could be salvaged. All the cabinets, interior doors, hardware and door frames were salvaged and re-used. Partitions, sinks and other miscellaneous fixtures were donated to non- profit organizations.
While much of the drywall, metal studs, ceiling tiles and carpeting could not be re-used, they were recycled. A separate demolition project was undertaken, and the end result was incredible. Armstrong Industries recycled almost 13,000-sq.-ft. of acoustical ceiling tile.
The carpeting, although initially evaluated for re-use, was too worn and stained to be an asset. It was transported to Virginia for recycling. Drywall, although difficult at times to recycle, was recycled.
Recycling containers were set up and used not only during the demolition project, but also on the subsequent construction project to take care of the remaining waste during construction.
The end result was that, of 72 tons of construction waste, 59 tons were recycled.
In fact, 82 percent of all waste was diverted from the landfill. According to Rich Frescatore, a waste consultant, recycling saved money. He calculated that, if all the waste had gone to the landfill, it would have cost more than $8,300, while the cost to recycle (including waste consultants’
 fees) was just over $3,900. The net result was a 47.5 percent savings.
At first glance, it is difficult to see what makes this completed project so special. The all new ceiling, which has a high recycled content, isn’t noticeable. Neither is the shelving in the closets that was
 reused from the previous office location.
If you look more closely, you will see doors that have minor chips and scratches from their previous lives. In the dining area, a new recycling cabinet - made from an old cabinet that came from the existing building - stands out with its obnoxious green top.
Some will notice the lighting that automatically adjusts based on the amount of daylight that comes in from existing windows. Men may notice the waterless urinals in the men’s bathroom.
Yet, the building is about so much more than what is or is not obvious. It’s about serving future generations of students. It’s about a commitment to sustainability. It’s about setting an example for Pennsylvania school districts.
One more close inspection reveals an off-centered plaque in the vestibule. It was intentionally placed there to make room for something that is forthcoming - a plaque highlighting LEED Silver Certification.

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