ID: 218627ID: 218627

THE KATHLEEN GRIMM SCHOOL FOR LEADERSHIP AND SUSTAINABILITY AT SANDY GROUNDSTATEN ISLAND, NEW YORK

2016 AIA NY COTE AWARDS

ID: 218627

THE NET-ZERO-ENERGY SCHOOL

The Kathleen Grimm School for Leadership and Sustainability at Sandy Ground is designed to be the fi rst net-zero-energy school in New York City, and one of the fi rst of its kind worldwide. Designed to harvest as much energy from renewable on-site sources as it uses annually, this bold education facility raises the bar for sustainable design in New York City and sets an example for the design of future schools. Located in Staten Island, the 68,000-square-foot school serves 444 students, from pre-kindergarten through fi fth grade.

The New York City School Construction Authority (SCA) commissioned the design of the Kathleen Grimm School to serve as its fi rst “sustainability lab,” where a range of green design strategies could be utilized—with the ultimate goal to improve the energy effi ciency of schools throughout the city. The design of the Kathleen Grimm School envisions an energy use reduction of 50 percent over a standard SCA public school.

Every aspect of the school’s design contributes to achieving its net-zero-energy goal. A photovoltaic (PV) array wraps the building’s roof and south facade, providing the school’s primary source of energy. The building also incorporates extensive passive design strategies. With an ample interior courtyard, the building’s massing and orientation on the site are optimized to take advantage of sunlight—not only for the solar array, but also to bring maximum natural light into each classroom. Off set corridors, skylights, and clerestory windows also contribute to the school’s remarkable daylight autonomy. Additional sustainable design features include a high-performance building envelope, a geo-exchange heating and cooling system, energy recovery ventilators, and demand control ventilation, all of which contribute to the school’s exceptional energy performance.

ID: 218627

ENGAGEMENT PROCESS + INTEGRATIVE DESIGN

The success of the Kathleen Grimm School is in the hands of its daily occupants. In a school typology this presents a seminal opportunity to educate and empower students, faculty and staff . Designers engaged these parties early in the design process. The design team held biweekly meetings with the SCA, New York School Foods, NYC Department of Education, and Division of School Facilities to brainstorm creative solutions to operational and design-based challenges. Input from the community also helped to inform aesthetic considerations, including the design of the exterior facade.

A custom graphic user interface was created and integrated with building systems. Real-time feedback on energy choices aff ords education in both energy management strategies and critical thinking. Referred to as the “Building Dashboard,” this ubiquitous system inspires not only impromptu lessons, but energy competitions between classrooms and opportunities to generate energy through exercise bikes.

An in-depth project manual provides a resource that allows the building systems to be integrated into the curriculum. An early Childhood Development Playground replete with bicycles that allow children to produce energy and provide interactive activities designed within the play equipment components.

0 40 120 240

ID: 218627

REGIONAL RESILIENCE + COMMUNITY DESIGN

The Kathleen Grimm School

NYC Public Schools

Comparative Energy Use

Typical SCA SchoolComplies w/ Local Law 87;

+/-30% beyond ASHRAE 90.150% beyond Typical SCA School

The Kathleen Grimm School

Staten Island

Brooklyn

QueensManhattan

Sandy Ground, the project’s location in Southwestern Staten Island and part of the school’s namesake, is home to one of the nation’s oldest surviving communities established by free blacks. In 1828, the fi rst known free African-American in the Sandy Ground region, John Jackson, purchased land in this area. The neighborhood grew to become a center of political and social life for free blacks up and down the East Coast. The dedication of the school’s library as ‘The Sandy Ground Library’ reminds students of this rich social history.

Along the path to the outdoor amphitheater a 7’ tall bronze statue of a Lenape Native American greets students and visitors alike, reminding visitors that the school’s focus on sustainable living and respect for the natural environment.

The school features various community amenities. Positioned adjacent to the main entrance, the gym, cafeteria, and library are accessible to the Sandy Ground community. The Vegetable Garden provides the school with the opportunity to engage with community volunteers and with partner schools.

The landscape architecture components of the project follow the NY Green Schools Guide and include various landscape design features. The design intent is for all stormwater to be absorbed on-site. Permeable unit pavers for the parking lot, roadways, sidewalks, paths and plazas allow for stormwater infi ltration. These permeable pavers provide gaps in the ground plane that would otherwise not be there if the pavement were continuous asphalt. These gaps allow rain water to be absorbed into the soil. The project also utilizes retention tanks to retain the water and release it slowly into the earth. Extensive green roofs under a solar canopy reduce storm water runoff .

ID: 218627

LOCAL + REGIONAL SITE RESPONSE

ID: 218627

Photovoltaic Panelsattached to Facade

Insulated Spandrel Panels

Operable Clerestory Windoww/ Light Diffusing Material

Insulated Window Wall

Metal Cover Panel

at Sill and Head

Concrete Curb

Independent StructureFor Photovoltaic Panels

Mounting Clips

Operable Window

Metal PanelPerimeter

Displacement Induction Unit

ID: 218627

The building features a precast concrete skin, composed of a unique 30-foot-tall panel system. This uninterrupted rainscreen on the east, west and north, attaches outside of the interior enclosure creating an air and vapor barrier free of thermal breaks. The 30-foot span reduces the possibility of thermal bridging between the interior construction and this external skin by virtually eliminating traditional thermal bridges from masonry ties and further insulates the building.

Along the south facade, deep window wells created by the exterior walls’ 70 degree slope, shade upper and lower lines of ribbon glazing. Daylight performance simulations guided this split into lower “view” windows and higher daylight clerestories to best provide the best light quality across seasonal variations while controlling potential glare. Bright fi nishes and a ceiling profi le that angles up toward the windows and interior transoms shape light down to the active work surface.

Photovoltaic Panels attached to Facade

Insulated Spandrel Panels

Operable Clerestory Window w/Light Difussing Materials

Insulated Window Wall

Metal Cover Panel at Sill and Head

Concrete Curb

Mounting Clips

Independent Structure For Photovoltaic Panels

Operable Window

Metal Panel

Perimeter Displacement Induction Unit

Wall Section - South Facade

0’ 2’ 5’

PASSIVE BEFORE ACTIVE

1 1 1 1 1 15

2

4

4 4

66

4

8

8

8

8

7

7

8

4

4

45

41111

14

45

11

7

7

18

5

1 9

4

3

5 5

6

6

6

6

2

8

8

65

5

57

7

1

4

7

7

10

S

S

8

1 1 1 1 1

8

4

7

1 1 1 1 1 1

1

1

11 1

6

5

577

11

0 5 10 20 40 0 5 10 20 40

ID: 218627

Ground Floor

1. Classroom

2. Gymatorium

3. Cafeteria

4. Offi ce

5. Storage

6. Service

7. Restroom

8. MEP

9. Library

10. Courtyard

11. Garden

Ground Floor Second Floor

Second Floor

1. Classroom

2. Gymatorium

3. Cafeteria

4. Offi ce

5. Storage

6. Service

7. Restroom

8. MEP

9. Library

10. Courtyard

11. Garden

PROGRAMMATIC PLANS

1

2

3

10

9 1

11111

0 5 10 20 40

ID: 218627

PROGRAMMATIC SECTION

North - South Section

1. Classroom

2. Gymatorium

3. Cafeteria

4. Offi ce

5. Storage

6. Service

7. Restroom

8. MEP

9. Library

10. Courtyard

11. Garden

With a 90 percent daylight autonomy, south-facing classrooms have wide “eyebrows,” which largely shade their view windows from direct sunlight (and serve to support the exterior PV panels) while a central courtyard allows for additional interior spaces to have southern exposure. North-facing classrooms benefi t from taller punched windows. Along the building’s circulation spines, skylights bring ample natural light into the corridors. Many of the corridors, which feature generous skylights, reach up to 98 percent. Furthermore, daylighting is balanced with LEDs and daylight harvesting.

Located under the school grounds, a system of geothermal wells helps to naturally heat and cool the school, and allows for signifi cant energy savings. This system leverages the constant temperature of the earth to heat the school in the winter, and to transfer heat out of the building in the summer.

The air is pre-treated by energy recovery ventilators, thereby lowering the service demand on the overall system, which helps regulate building humidity. Fresh air is provided directly to the classrooms through demand control ventilation. Using natural convection to remove contaminants, fresh air is supplied at a low rate, following across the fl oor and rising up on plumes of body heat, carrying up contaminants to be exhausted.

ID: 218627

COMFORT + DELIGHT

With the installation of low fl ow fi xtures and bottle fi llers, the building reduced its regulated potable water use by 34 percent from a baseline design.

Secondary systems, including a solar thermal hot water system, support the primary mechanical thrust. This thermal network makes use of 40 roof mounted panels to absorb solar energy and produce enough hot water to heat the domestic water used throughout the school. Together with daylighting and equipment strategies, the school’s mechanical systems help to reduce the overall energy footprint of The Kathleen Grimm School to 564,000 kWh per year, a 50 percent reduction compared to standard SCA schools.

ID: 218627

WATER CONSERVATION

1 Walking Track & Sustainability Tour2 Clerestory Windows at South Facade3 Displacement Induction Units4 Photovoltaic Panels (1,900 KBTU Generated Per Year)5 Sloped Ceilings Reflect Natural Light6 Double Height Corridors (98% Daylight Autonomy)7 Low Energy Kitchen Equipment

14 High Efficiency Envelope (.01% Infiltration Rate)15 Running Track16 Geothermal Wells (81)17 Solar Thermal (For Domestic Hot Water)18 Energy Bicycles19 Wind Turbine20 Occupancy Sensors

0 5 10 20 50

23

4

5

6

7

8

9

10 11

12

13

14

15 1

17

22

22 23

18 24

19

18

6

22

22 22

22

11

5

5

16

2120

Per SCA standards, the building is designed with heating and cooling set points of 70°F and 78°F in order to “expand the comfort range” and reduce energy consumption. Because of the specifi c project goal of total annual Net Zero Energy, overall load reduction strategies were implemented to signifi cantly contribute to a lower peak load than that of a typical building. These strategies include: improved envelope performance, daylight control, energy recovery, and geothermal heating and cooling. Energy and Carbon Intensity are primarily electric, with natural gas as domestic hot water backup of solar domestic HW.

ID: 218627

ENERGY FLOW

1. Walking Track & Sustainability Tour

2. Clerestory Windows at South Facade

3. Displacement Induction Units

4. Photovoltaic Panels (1,900 KBTU Generated Per Year)

5. Sloped Ceilings Refl ect Natural Light

6. Double Height Corridors (98% Daylight Autonomy)

7. Low Energy Kitchen Equipment

8. Greenhouse

9. Vegetable Garden

10. Building Dashboard System

11. Open Stairs

12. Green Roof

13. Large Windows at North Facade

14. High Effi ciency Envelope (0.01% Infi ltration Rate)

15. Running Track

16. Geothermal Wells (81)

17. Solar Thermal (For Domestic Hot Water)

18. Energy bicycles

19. Wind Turbine

20. Occupancy Sensors

21. Aircuity System

22. Classrooms (90% Daylight Autonomy - South)

Classrooms (60% Daylight Autonomy - North)

23. Gymatorium (50% Daylight Autonomy)

24. Cafeteria (50% Daylight Autonomy)

ID: 218627

ENERGY FLOW

3,510 SF @ 20°56,511 kWh

6,594 SF @ 70°106,163 kWh

11,044 SF @ 0°165,600 kWh

12,500 SF @ 70°201,250 kWh

8,411 SF @ 20°135,417 kWh

3,760 SF @ 0°56,400 kWh

8,554 SF @ 20° 137,719 kWh

Zero Self Spacing at Winter Solstice Solar Window

1,91 kWh/ft2 Annually5° tilt

1,43 kWh/ft2 Annually90° tilt

0 ° 24

30 ° 10

5 ° 19

35 °9

10 ° 16

40 °9

60 ° 8

15 ° 13

45 ° 8

65 °8

20 ° 12

50 °8

70 °8

25 ° 11

55 °8

75 °8

8

8

80 °

85 °

Shaped and sliced to provide window and skylight fenestration, the photovoltaic array lends an iconic skin to the school and simultaneously generates energy and greatly reduces the school’s energy consumption. Rather than separate panels, arrays were treated as one panel, tightly spaced and angled together. As a result vertical and horizontal surfaces complement each other to supply consistent energy across the school schedule. Rigorous energy modeling was completed to ensure that the total estimated energy produced, an annual generation of 658,000 kwh, will be well over the estimated consumed energy.

In order to comply with the SCA Green Schools Guide, the design team sourced recycled and regional materials wherever possible. While 15 percent of materials are from recycled content, the largest contributions by material cost are: rebar, slag, structural steel, steel deck, aluminum panels, skylights, storefront, windows, and curtain wall. At least 7 percent of materials are regionally sourced. The most signifi cant regional materials, by material cost, are: rebar, slag, steel deck, and the building’s skylights.

All adhesives, sealants, paints, and coatings used in the interior of the building comply with the VOC limits and requirements as established by Green Seal standards and the South Coast Air Quality Management District. All composite wood and agrifi ber products are void of added urea-formaldehyde resins as well as the laminating adhesives used in their fabrication. In addition, all fi nished millwork is certifi ed to be free of urea formaldehyde.

ID: 218627

MATERIALS + CONSTRUCTION

ID: 218627

LONG LIFE LOOSE FIT

The team implemented various features to optimize the project design’s fl exibility and versatility. The photovoltaic system is mounted on a separate steel structure of the facade panel. This technical feature provides a framework off of which more effi cient panels can be mounted onto as photovoltaic technology advances without interfering with roofi ng and base building structures. These photovoltaic units are also mounted onto a topping slab that allows for a replacement of the photovoltaic system without damaging the roofi ng membrane. Finally, the units are mounted on a steel grating that is fully separated from the roofi ng system.

Unlike other net zero energy schools in the U.S., the Kathleen Grimm School is designed to meet its ambitious energy goal while keeping the year-round demands of a New York City public school. The school facility off ers fl exible operational hours through summer school and night class programs while consuming as little energy as possible.

Top Attachment

Bottom Attachment

East Elevation

Precast panels Diagram

Continuous Air & Vapor Barrier

The Kathleen Grimm School for Leadership and Sustainability at Sandy Ground presents a healthier future for New York City schools. Thanks to its integrated design, the building intends to generate as much energy from renewable resources as it uses on an annual basis. Opened since September 2015, the project is already having a major impact. While not all NYC public schools can be Net Zero, some of the sustainable design strategies fi rst implemented at the Kathleen Grimm School are being applied to other New York City schools, and the SCA is updating its design standards as a result.

Moreover, a commissioning agent will conduct a post-occupancy walk through to document any operational abnormalities.

A designated team will meet monthly for three years to discuss and review the building’s energy performance as well as operation.

ID: 218627

COLLECTIVE WISDOM FEEDBACK LOOPS