Rocketship PCS @ Raynolds Place Achieves LEED PLATINUM
Rocketship Public Charter School @ Raynolds Place has achieved LEED for Schools PLATINUM Certification - the highest level of certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. The school located at 2335 Raynolds Place SE, offers a high-performance building design and sustainable learning environment for children of Southeast Washington, DC.
The building conserves energy and water, creating a healthier environment for students to learn and stimulates environmental awareness in the school community. The school is located in an urban area which offers the school’s occupants easily walkable connections to community businesses and services, public transportation, and dense residential areas. The project site features preferred parking for LEV/FEV and carpool/vanpool vehicles, and a significant amount of native and adaptive vegetation. Stormwater management systems are designed to help to capture the majority of rainfall on site and treat the stormwater to remove pollutants. Potable water usage on site was reduced through selecting plants that did not require irrigation, as well as installing low flow and low flush plumbing fixtures.
The building is designed to maximize energy efficiency with high performance MEP systems, and a large Solar PV system is installed on site on the roof of the building. In addition, the Owner purchased 70% green power through Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) for the building. The school implemented a comprehensive recycling program for the occupants, and has a strict no smoking policy for the entire property. Occupants of the building are provided with lighting and thermal controls to improve their experience in the building, as well as over 90% of spaces in the building have direct views to the outside.
During Construction, the Contractor implemented a Waste Management Plan which successfully recycled more than 80% of waste generated on site, diverting these materials from landfills. The Architect & Contractor also carefully selected green building materials for installation resulting in over 30% recycled content, and over 30% regionally sourced (manufactured and extracted) materials. Low emitting materials such as adhesives, sealants, paints, coatings, flooring, and composite wood are also installed helping to contribute to a building with excellent indoor air quality.
