Daylighting the School of the Future
With Microsoft® Chairman Bill Gates calling high schools "obsolete", the Philadelphia School District challenged Microsoft to imagine The School of the Future. Working with The Prisco Group architects, the result is a school template for the 21st century. Building green, LEED® credits and daylighting are the driving forces.
Daylighting is the art and science of manipulating and managing natural light to positively affect the performance, mood and well-being of occupants of any space. Daylighting of schools is widely utilized, but its importance is integral to the schools of the future. Student test scores and attendance improve when classrooms, study areas and common spaces utilize good daylighting design. Maximizing the use of gentle, diffuse daylight and minimizing direct-beam sunlight penetration makes a positive impact.
According to Myia Entcheva, The Prisco Group designer and project manager, "We've found that Kalwall translucent panels are one of the best-performing systems. They offer great aesthetic options and Kalwall is one of the best manufacturers in meeting building code requirements." The School of the Future in West Philadelphia features a central atrium; controlled daylight from its 3,410-square-foot Clearspan SkyroofTM, by Kalwall strategic partner Structures Unlimited, Inc., creates the feeling of a community street. "The quality of daylighting under the Clearspan Skyroof is so natural, it feels just like being outdoors." With unmatched insulating properties, the balanced, diffuse daylight filling the interior space is glare-free, museum-quality daylightingTM that also saves energy on lighting, heating and cooling. Kalwall offers daylight modeling services during the design phase to help maximize energy performance and use of daylight.
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Together, the atrium Skyroof and Kalwall Wall Panel System in the gymnasium help contribute credits in five categories toward LEED Gold certification for the School of the Future. The school's design also won a 2006 Recognized Value Award from DesignShare, a clearinghouse for the very best ideas in educational facilities and their impact upon the learning process.
School of the Future
Architects: The Prisco Group
Exterior photo: David Lamb Photography
Interior photo: Andre Bell, The Prisco Group
Kalwall Specifications:
U-Factor: .23 BTU/(hr/ft²/°F) = 1.30 W/m²K
Light Transmission: 15%
Solar Heat Gain Coefficient: 0.14
For more information, contact:
Bruce Keller
Kalwall Corporation 603-627-3861 (800-258-9777 N. America)
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