New Ferguson school to go green
Natural light and a green roof will be among the environmentally friendly features.
By STEVE SCHEDIN
For the Daily Record/Sunday News
Sep 12, 2007
The new Ferguson Elementary School is being designed as a "green school."
Mark Barnhardt, senior vice president of EI Associates architectural firm, presented the school's design to the York City School Board at its Monday night work session. The design committee, made up of district staff, parents and firm representatives, visited area elementary schools for design ideas.
The new school has an "east-west access" design to best use sunlight, Barnhardt said.
"Natural light in all the classrooms will reduce energy costs," he said.
The roof includes a "green roof to manage storm water," limiting runoff, Barnhardt said.
A green roof refers to a vegetated roof covering consisting of a thin layer of living vegetation on a layer of soil about 1 inch thick. The reinforced roof is protected from roots and water by a base membrane, creating an ecologically friendly environment.
"It has been used in Europe for about 100 years," Barnhardt said.
The design also includes a cistern to collect rainwater, which can be used to flush toilets and to irrigate the student fields, reducing the school's water usage by 40 percent, Barnhardt said.
The Ferguson school is a three-story design witha secure playground for the primary students, and a larger athletic field for the intermediate students and community after school hours.
The class room size is "comparable to the current classroom size" with two special-education classrooms on each floor, according to Barnhardt.
The layout of the school will flow with the layout of the property. Because the land slopes, school levels will be connected by ramps. A sun-dial will be placed outside, and the layout of the school will use existing trees on the property.
In trying to connect the school and the community, the entrance to the school will be closer to Newberry Street, creating more open space and use of the land. Parking will be increased along Jefferson Street.
There will be a separate entrance to the gym for student arriving early for breakfast and for athletic events.
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Natural light and a green roof will be among the environmentally friendly features.
By STEVE SCHEDIN
For the Daily Record/Sunday News
Sep 12, 2007
The new Ferguson Elementary School is being designed as a "green school."
Mark Barnhardt, senior vice president of EI Associates architectural firm, presented the school's design to the York City School Board at its Monday night work session. The design committee, made up of district staff, parents and firm representatives, visited area elementary schools for design ideas.
The new school has an "east-west access" design to best use sunlight, Barnhardt said.
"Natural light in all the classrooms will reduce energy costs," he said.
The roof includes a "green roof to manage storm water," limiting runoff, Barnhardt said.
A green roof refers to a vegetated roof covering consisting of a thin layer of living vegetation on a layer of soil about 1 inch thick. The reinforced roof is protected from roots and water by a base membrane, creating an ecologically friendly environment.
"It has been used in Europe for about 100 years," Barnhardt said.
The design also includes a cistern to collect rainwater, which can be used to flush toilets and to irrigate the student fields, reducing the school's water usage by 40 percent, Barnhardt said.
The Ferguson school is a three-story design witha secure playground for the primary students, and a larger athletic field for the intermediate students and community after school hours.
The class room size is "comparable to the current classroom size" with two special-education classrooms on each floor, according to Barnhardt.
The layout of the school will flow with the layout of the property. Because the land slopes, school levels will be connected by ramps. A sun-dial will be placed outside, and the layout of the school will use existing trees on the property.
In trying to connect the school and the community, the entrance to the school will be closer to Newberry Street, creating more open space and use of the land. Parking will be increased along Jefferson Street.
There will be a separate entrance to the gym for student arriving early for breakfast and for athletic events.
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