“Zero-energy-ready” isn’t just a buzzword here at Finn Hill Junior High. The forward-thinking design of Finn Hill Junior High demonstrates the Lake Washington School District’s commitment to energy efficiency. Opened in 2011 this school replaced the aging Finn Hill Middle School. The district seized the opportunity to build a cutting-edge facility.
The $29.4 million building was designed by Mahlum Architects. It was built to Washington Sustainable School Program specifications. The building has 24 general classrooms. It also houses five science classrooms and six specialized classrooms. These include special education fine arts technology and a media center. Interestingly the school also houses the regional production kitchen.
The design harnesses the efficiency of structural insulated panels. These panels helped Finn Hill Junior High exceed the ENERGY STAR median by nearly 50 percent. The 6″ SIP walls and 10″ SIP roof panels reduce energy costs. They also allow for smaller more cost-effective mechanical systems. Students can even monitor energy use live through an interactive modeling feature. This teaches energy awareness and conservation.
Reducing heating and cooling consumption was critical. The designs needed to maximize the potential roof area for solar panels. The goal was to power the school’s needs entirely. Upon opening Finn Hill Junior High boasted the largest school solar installation in Washington. It was one of the largest in the state.
The design goal for Finn Hill Junior High was an energy use intensity of 25 kBTU per square foot per year. This is 47 percent lower than the ENERGY STAR median. It’s more efficient than a typical school built to code. The school’s orientation ensures balanced daylighting in every classroom. Operable windows and clerestory contribute to this. Dimming sensors adjust electric lights based on natural light. During daylight hours most lights are off saving costs and improving light quality.
The building enclosure was a key focus. Structural insulated panels from Premier SIPs were chosen. These panels provide uninterrupted insulation. They also establish a continuous air barrier. This minimizes thermal bridging and convective losses. Structural elements are placed inside the thermal envelope. This exposes the elegant glulam beam roof structure. The spanning capabilities of SIPs allowed for a modular design. This reduced material waste and cost.
Premier SIPS made a massive difference in energy conservation. These factory-manufactured panels allowed for fast installation. Their solid core created an extremely airtight and efficient envelope. This conserved the solar energy generated. Each of the five learning pods contains a heat recovery ventilator. This ensures healthy indoor air quality and captures heat from exhaust air. Carbon dioxide sensors adjust mechanical ventilation based on occupancy.
Operable windows provide natural ventilation and cooling. The district doesn’t air condition schools so the design prioritized natural cooling. Finn Hill Junior High features the largest solar panel array on any K-12 school building in Washington. The 1452 photovoltaic panels generate about 42 percent of the school’s energy. Each classroom wing is metered separately. The results are displayed on a touchscreen. This allows students to see differences in energy use and production.
Finn Hill also manages 80 percent of its stormwater onsite through rain gardens. Rainwater funnels off roofs through courtyard rain gardens. These gardens supply native plants. The school’s environmental curriculum reinforces the connection to the outdoors. The school has achieved many accolades. These include the 2012 SIPA Building Excellence Award.