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North Clackamas High School – LEED Silver Certified, Portland, OR
Architect: BOORA Architects
Cost: $30.2M
Photos courtesy of Michael Mathers Photography
Mazzetti Nash Lipsey Burch (M+NLB) designed the mechanical systems of this 265,000 square foot high school to advance sustainable design strategies beyond present practice. With a grant from the Rocky Mountain Institute, the project received funding to encourage the owner, architect, and engineers to explore innovative design solutions. The school is recognized by the Institute and the Energy Foundation as a model for energy efficiency.
The primary energy strategy is day lighting, integrated into the building orientation and form. The orientation and use of high-tech glazing - different on each exposure - results in dependence on mechanical systems for cooling and ventilation. In fact, the “soft” energy demand of the building permits cooling and ventilation via natural convection for a majority of the school, for most of the time. Energy savings are projected to be 46% better than that of a conventional, energy efficient high school. Unlike most energy conservation measures that have a payback at increased cost, the mechanical systems actually cost less than a conventional design.
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