Photos by Scott Milder; courtesy of SHW Group
Photos by Scott Milder; courtesy of SHW Group Recognizing that a lack of precedent often stands in the way of innovative design, the Texas Energy Office funded a green team to collaborate with the architects, SWH Group, on the Roy Lee Walker Elementary School in McKinney, Texas. The green team was led by Innovative Design of Raleigh, North Carolina, and included BuildingGreen for expertise on materials, IAQ, and water conservation. The district designed Walker as an archetype green school, with the hope that it would serve as a model for the dozen elementary schools scheduled for construction through 2010. So far, things are progressing according to plan: Malvern and McNeill elementary schools, both in McKinney, were built, according to SHW, without any deviation from the Walker design.
An extensive rainwater harvesting system, powered by an on-site windmill, is used to irrigate native landscaping. Solar panels provide most of the school’s hot water needs. The school is extensively daylit, and photosensors ensure constant light levels. Materials were chosen to minimize environmental impact and maximize indoor air quality.
The school was also designed as a teaching tool. Walker’s weather station, rainwater gauge, interactive water habitat, and sundial inform students about their built and natural surroundings. The building was named one of the AIA Committee on the Environment’s Top Ten green buildings for 1999.
More information is available from:
SHW Group
972/701-0700;
www.shwgroup.com
