Barnard Environmental Studies Magnet School Attains LEED Gold

Barnard Environmental Studies Magnet School, one of several New Haven public schools being constructed by program manager Gilbane Building Company, is the first school to earn Gold certification in the LEED New Construction Rating System from the U.S. Green Building Council. The facility, designed by Roberta Washington Architects, received a $43 million transformation through the City’s $1.5 billion program. It serves some 600 students in grades pre-K through 8. To earn Gold certification, the school had to meet performance standards in six areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality. Some of Barnard’s numerous science and ‘green’ features include the largest public building roof-mounted solar panel array in the state, with 196 solar panels, producing 16% of the school’s energy; rooftop greenery to help insulate the building; two greenhouses; student gardens; and a pedestrian bridge across a highway that affords children access to a nature center and West River Memorial Park. Gilbane began providing management services for the 14-year, 48 school construction program in 1998. As part of this program, the City initiated a comprehensive High Performance Building Program with a goal of achieving Energy Star ratings for substantial energy and utility cost savings, as well as improving air quality and providing a healthier environment for students, teachers and administrators.