Meriden, CT - The Mary M. Hooker Environmental Sciences Magnet School in Hartford, CT has been designated a Platinum level LEED building by the U.S. Green Building Council, making it one of the most energy efficient and environmentally friendly in the country.
BL Companies, a multi-disciplined architecture, engineering and environmental firm, with offices in Meriden and Hartford CT, served as the lead designer for the team providing architecture, civil engineering, landscape architecture, transportation engineering and land surveying for this project. PDS Engineering & Construction, Inc. of Bloomfield, CT served as construction manager, BVH Integrated Services, Inc. of Bloomfield, CT served as mechanical/electrical engineer and Veridian Energy & Environmental, Inc. of Norwalk, CT was the LEED consultant.
LEED, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a prestigious, nationally recognized certification issued by the U.S. Green Building Council (USBGC). Platinum, a very rare rating, is the highest level that can be achieved. There are only three projects in Connecticut that are LEED Platinum and only one – Mary Hooker – is a public elementary school. Nationally, Mary M. Hooker is the 11th school in the country to receive a Platinum rating.
“The Hartford Public Schools takes great pride in receiving LEED Platinum certification on our newest school construction, particularly a school focused on environmental sciences,” said Superintendent Christina M. Kishimoto. “What an incredible lesson and source of pride for our students and families as we continue to work together with our partners to deliver on a school system of distinction!”
The levels of LEED certification – Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum are based
on a 100 point scale that measures the design, construction and operation of high
performance green buildings. Measurements include the energy savings from heating,
cooling, lighting and insulation; water use reduction; the degree to which builders recycle
construction materials and the building’s connectivity to the surrounding community. To
achieve LEED Platinum status, a building must score more than 80 points.
“At USGBC, we believe no other market speaks more powerfully to the benefits
of green buildings than our schools,” said Rick Fedrizzi, USGBC’s President and CEO.
“The Mary M. Hooker Environmental Sciences Magnet School’s LEED Platinum certification demonstrates their leadership in the green schools movement, and the priority they are placing on their students’ ability to learn and thrive in a healthy, efficient environment.”
The conversion included a complete redesign and renovation of the building with
a 30,000-square-foot addition to adhere to the school’s new theme at a cost of $42 million. In addition to expanded parking, a new cafeteria and a convenient drop-off area for school buses, the upgrades consisted of a butterfly vivarium; a 30-seat interactive film theater; a laboratory with 50 freshwater and salt water aquariums for fish breeding; a weather station; a glass-shrouded lobby with a fish pond and a greenhouse, where students grow their own lunch vegetables.
“The entire BL Companies design team is thrilled to have achieved LEED Platinum certification for the Mary Hooker School,” said Senior Project Manager Scott Pellman, “Through careful planning, our team achieved the highest level of environmental design, reinforcing the true vision of the school.”
