Sunset Ridge School District 29 replaced its 85-year-old building with a 73,890-sq-ft collaborative, interactive and technology-based learning environment. The LEED Platinum-certified facility serves approximately 300 fourth through eighth-grade students and is the first public school in Illinois designed to be net-zero energy, producing at least as much energy as it uses. General contractor Pepper achieved the required construction and materials/resources points by using recycled, locally sourced materials, wood from the previous school’s gymnasium and recycled construction waste. Architect Wight & Co. added energy usage displays and onsite water conservation practices as part of its design, and those building features are integrated into the curriculum.
Read more at ENR.com