by Rebecca Walker — December 8, 2010—McKinstry, a national leader in the development of smart building systems, recently helped two schools achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for Schools certification, marking the first time any school in Idaho has achieved such a qualification. Van Buren Elementary received LEED for Schools Silver certification and Washington Elementary received LEED for Schools Gold certification.
In addition to being the design/build contractor for the schools, McKinstry worked with the Caldwell School District to develop a curriculum for K-12 students to learn about energy use and efficiency.
The goal for the school district is to create a healthier environment for the students, teachers and staff while teaching the children about environmentally-friendly practices.
The LEED certifications and sustainable features provide students and faculty with a healthier and more productive learning environment; improved air flow for better ventilation and indoor air quality; acoustical enhancements; and a minimum of 90 percent day-light space throughout all classrooms and core learning spaces, as well as outdoor views for at least 90 percent of the learning spaces.
McKinstry commissioned the schools energy systems, resulting in reduced energy use and lower operating costs, and will perform ongoing measurement and verification of the schools energy use, providing accountability of the buildings energy consumption over time and benefiting optimal building operation and savings in maintenance costs.
McKinstry is a full-service, design-build-operate-and-maintain (DBOM) firm specializing in consulting, construction, energy and facility services. For more on the company, see its Web site.
