The public school project is designed as a prototype to be built on multiple campuses throughout Los Angeles. Its aim is an economical, flexible and yet, in its spatial concept, ambitious design that can be adjusted to different pedagogical models and learning styles. The 2-level building can accommodate up to 500 students, may be reconfigured for other communal functions, and its sustainability concept intends to reach a zero net energy building standard & achieve LEED Platinum rating.

The prototype is a highly flexible design comprising two independent structural systems: a pre-engineered metal building shell, and a reconfigurable interior mezzanine. As such it accommodates a variety of uses, spatial configurations, and site conditions. The long-span steel structure is free of interior columns to allow maximum flexibility for interior space planning.

Exterior cladding is non-structural allowing a variety of façade treatments and the use of moment and braced steel frames allow walls, doors, and windows to be placed free of structural constraints. The size of the building can easily be adjusted by expanding or contracting the number of structural bays. The Zero net energy school building (NZE Prototype) employs a construction process more akin to the industrialized production of manufactured goods. All major building components are pre-fabricated off site, which expedites construction, reduces waste, and minimizes traffic. Steel was chosen as the primary building material because of its high recycled content and potential for future recycling.

The project employs an innovative mixed-mode climate system that combines natural ventilation with efficient low-energy mechanical heating and cooling. Both systems use the principals of displacement ventilation and thermal buoyancy, delivering air only to the occupied zone of the space, allowing warm air and contaminants to naturally rise and stratify at the top of the tall-ceilinged spaces and escape through ventilation chimneys to rooftop exhausts. In either case the prototype is supplied with 100% outside air with no recirculation. The displacement with induction active chilled beam system is significantly more energy efficient than a comparable forced air system, with lower maintenance and much greater longevity. It is also more flexible and adaptable, acoustically superior, and provides much healthier indoor environmental quality.

The NZE Prototype utilizes innovative light and ventilation chimneys to bring daylight into the interior spaces and to drive natural ventilation. Ventilation is driven by thermal buoyancy: as warm air rises naturally through the chimneys it pulls cooler air in from the exterior windows. The chimneys also serve dual purpose as an exhaust system for the displacement induction active chilled beams during heating and cooling modes. The chimneys are designed as a pre-manufactured system. They are composed of stacking modules which allow them to adjust to varying heights. The modules incorporate a rooftop parabolic skylight, spectrally reflective lining, motorized louvers, parabolic reflectors, light-directing glass, and airflow and daylight dampers.

The NZE Prototype is designed for longevity, durability, and low-maintenance. Building systems are exposed for easy maintenance, repair and replacement. Materials are durable and multi-purpose to eliminate the need for secondary finishes. For example polished concrete provides a durable and low-maintenance floor finish, while also comprising the structural slab, and exhibits good fire-resistive, acoustical, and thermal mass properties. The perforated acoustical metal deck is another example of a structural element which also noise reduction properties that eliminates the need for an acoustical ceiling finish.

Read project overview: Zero net energy school building, Los Angeles, USA »