The newly renovated Selinsgrove Area High School achieved 61% of 932 points available under the Green Building Initiative’s Green Globes New Construction (NC) rating system, earning the school’s sustainability efforts two Globes out of four available in the U.S. The high school is one of four public school facilities in Pennsylvania achieving Green Globes NC certification, and is the first in Snyder County, Selinsgrove, PA.
Originally constructed in 1930 as a “New Deal” school, the Selinsgrove, PA high school was in considerable need of repair and renovation. With a focus on sustainability, the Selinsgrove Area School Board upgraded the 170,600 sf, 2-story building reusing more than 50% of the original school’s shell, reducing energy and water consumption, and optimizing daylighting and natural ventilation. Working mostly within the school’s original boundaries, 7group collaborated with EI Associates and the project team through an integrative design process to implement an HVAC system that improves overall indoor environmental air quality and reduces energy consumption. Coupled with other energy saving measures such as efficient lighting fixtures and equipment, and occupancy sensors, overall energy use for the facility is estimated to be reduced by 33%. With these improvements, the school now intends to foster an understanding of sustainable living as all students are involved with and responsible for the school’s recycling program.
7group endeavors to continue collaborating with innovative project teams developing leading sustainable designs supplementing our ever growing repertoire, which currently includes 80 LEED certified projects and a host of other sustainable projects.