Procuring greener schools

Design

There is a wide range of information available to assist schools and architects design more sustainable school facilities. A selection of these are listed further down on this page.

Schools should ask questions about the integration of sustainability initiatives into the project during each design stage, but this is particularly important during the concept design and schematic design stages. After these stages the ability to integrate sustainability either diminishes or costs more.

During the design stage schools and design teams should determine if additional funding may be available for some of the initiatives – refer Funding & Programs for more details.

The sustainability of the design can be benchmarked against a variety of rating tools. Green Star – Education will become Australia’s national environmental rating tool for schools. Refer to Rating Tools for further details on this and other international rating tools and benchmarks.

Involving students at all stages of the project from project inception to building operation has many advantages. Allowing students to participate in the procurement phase provides an opportunity for architects and others to understand the values and the priorities of those using the building as a learning space. Students may be asked to design questions to be asked when interviewing contractors or they could even participate in the interview or selection process directly.

Further information can be found at the following websites:

Whole Building Design Guide - Education (US)

“The Gateway to Up-To-Date Information on Integrated Whole Building Design Techniques and Technologies” this is a great website for sustainable design ideas for any building type. It has a good section on a primary and secondary schools.

National Clearinghouse for Education Facilities – High Performance Schools (US)

Overwhelmingly huge resource list of links, books, and journal articles on high performance school and campus facilities, including sustainability and green design issues, cost and funding concerns, and educational and community benefits.

Division of the State Architect's Sustainable Schools Resource (US)

Provides a diverse collection of sustainable building resources including the numerous benefits, guidelines, programs, case studies, relevant publications, funding options/incentives, and plenty more. The site is geared toward those interested and involved in designing, developing, and constructing high performance schools, such as school administrators and board officials, developers, architects, planners, researchers, teachers, parents, and others.

Collaborative for High Performance Schools (US)

CHPS aims to increase the energy efficiency of schools in California by marketing information, services, and incentive programs directly to school districts and designers. The Collaborative's goal is to facilitate the design of high performance schools: environments that are not only energy efficient, but also healthy, comfortable, well lit, and containing the amenities needed for a quality education.

La Sainte Union Catholic Secondary School – London

Most schools recognise the benefits of giving pupils a say in how their school is run, but how many would go as far as allowing them to design their perfect classroom?

North East Sustainable Energy Association (US)

Links to a variety of design resources websites for sustainable schools.

High Performance School Design – Online Training (US)

Online interactive training course courses for the design and engineering professionals specializing in sustainable design for schools.

Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools Kit (US)

The Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools (IAQ TfS) Kit shows schools how to carry out a practical plan of action to improve indoor air problems at little or no cost using straightforward activities and in-house staff.  The Kit provides best practices, industry guidelines, sample policies, and a sample IAQ management plan.

Indoor Air Quality - Tools for Schools Action Kit for Canadian Schools