Makefield Elementary School: Faced with the challenges of a historic building adored by the community, but in need of expansion. We responded with a carefully developed aesthetic, a LEED™ certification strategy and a creative renovation approach to capture unused space and reduce needed square footage. A carefully developed phasing plan supports construction within an occupied and fully functioning school. The project will integrate LEED™-sustainable design features.

Following successful completion of a detailed planning study to assess the needs at the Makefield Elementary School and a range of possible solutions for those needs, Spiezle Architectural Group, Inc. is proceeding with the design for additions and renovations to the school. Although having received a series of renovations in recent decades, the school was assessed as potentially eligible for placement on the national register. This, along with site challenges such as excess existing impervious surface, dictated sensitive and creative solutions.

The renovations and addition are wrapped into an overall strategy seeking LEED silver certification. Systems such as a green roof, replacement of existing paving with pervious pavement, and sensitive site design, are enabling achievement of LEED credits while also reducing the pervious coverage on site, a local planning goal.

The projects are designed to LEED Schools Silver Certification. Major sustainable features include:
• Sustainable Sites:
• Tree Harvesting
• Bicycle Storage
• Preferred parking for hybrid & other fuel efficient vehicles
• Planting for shading
• Vegetated roof on Cafeteria
• Water Conservation:
• 20% building water use reduction
• use of native planting to eliminate need for site irrigation
• Energy & Atmosphere Conservation
• Commissioning of HVAC, Lighting, & controls systems
• 17% better than code energy performance
• SIP (structural insulated panel) wall construction for super-insulated building shell
• HCFC free refrigerant in AC systems
• Photovoltaic System
• Materials & resource conservation
• Building recycling program
• 90% Construction waste recycling
• 20% products minimum with high recycled content
• 10% products minimum obtained within 500 miles
• Indoor Environmental Quality
• Low emitting materials specified for adhesives, carpets, paints, and cabinetry
• Indoor Air Quality monitoring and testing program during and following construction
• Daylighting and views for 90% of all spaces