PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Franklin High School is a 300,000 sf facility with a 45-acre campus, completed in 1996, $1 million under the $27 million budget. Under the direction of Senior Architect Duffy Stanley, FAIA, this large, complex project required an integrated design approach with a multitude of consultants, user groups, staff, etc. Franklin was awarded the Caudill Award for its innovative design and has been presented as a case study for successful sustainable design in large scale institutional projects at educators. Original design criteria for the school was developed from "Energy Efficient School Design" presented by the Governor's Energy Office, DOE 2, and AIA guidelines adapted for hot, arid climates. Total energy design criteria: 55,000-60,000 btu/sf/year for campus, utilizing hybrid HVAC systems.
The facility accommodates 2400+ students with 110 teaching stations. The 300,000 SF campus includes the following:
o Classroom building with Library and Administration
o Performing Arts Center with Auditorium, 3 music rooms, drama room
o Two Gyms with indoor running track, dance, weight, and locker rooms
o Student commons/ outdoor courtyards · Athletic field and amphitheater
Requirements included a design which would be non-institutional, integral to the community, indigenous to the Southwest, using durable materials and sloped roofs. The client also wanted a resource-conserving design with natural light and ventilation, as well as the latest technological teaching tools..
AWARDS
1996 CAUDILL AWARD presented by Texas Association of School Administrators, Texas Association of School Boards and Texas Society of Architects
1995 HONOR AWARD presented by El Paso Chapter of the American Institute of Architects
1994 MERIT AWARD presented by El Paso Chapter of the American Institute of Architects
SUSTAINABLE BUILDING TECHNIQUES
o PASSIVE SOLAR SHADING - Windows are provided with deep solar grilles plus solar screening on the exterior, and kept as small as practical to reduce heat gain, while still admitting natural light and air. Building orientation, overhangs, trees and trellises are placed to help shade exterior openings as well.
o NATURAL LIGHT - To reduce heat gain from interior lights and help provide an effective learning environment, natural light is utilized from windows and clerestories. Additional diffuse light is provided by small glass block openings and splayed interior window frames
o GREY WATER SYSTEM - A dual "grey water" and "black water" drain system is provided for future recycling of "grey water" from showers, drinking fountains, and similar clear water plumbing fixtures to be used for "black water" applications (flushing commodes, etc.), saving precious pure water for more appropriate purposes.
o RAINWATER HARVESTING, LOW-FLOW FIXTURES - Rainwater is collected from roofs surrounding the central courtyards by means of gutters and downspouts into a central drain pipe. In the future this drain pipe will be connected to a 300,000 gallon storage cistern for reuse in on-site irrigation and grey water systems. Low usage fixtures are installed throughout. These techniques will help mitigate effects from future water shortages.
o ENERGY-EFFICIENT 'SMART' HVAC CONTROLS - The entire school's HVAC systems are computer controlled by the FMS(Facilities Management System). These systems and components are remotely monitored by EPISD engineers. If any component within the HVAC system does not perform efficiently, an alarm message is relayed and corrective action can be taken. This will minimize on-site maintenance tasks, and help provide energy effectiveness with minimum manpower.
o EFFICIENT HVAC SYSTEMS - HVAC components are high EER efficient units using ozone-friendly refrigerants, microprocessor-controlled water chillers, and variable air flow systems to match the building's demands. Refrigerated air systems are combined with evaporative cooling and natural ventilation to reduce energy and maintenance costs especially over the life of the building.
o NATURAL VENTILATION - Roof space above attics is ventilated by natural convection to reduce heat build up, making the building more energy efficient. Radiant barrier is utilized. Operable classroom windows allow for natural venting when desired.
o INCREASED ROOF INSULATION - Roof insulation thickness is increased to make the building more energy efficient over the extended life of the facility.
o LOW-COST, LOCAL MATERIALS - The primary exterior material is Concrete Masonry Units which were made of local aggregate. These provide the architectural pattern of the exterior envelope, are low cost, low maintenance and have beneficial thermal properties for the local climate.
o PROTECTED MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT - All mechanical equipment is under roof, easily accessible in the attic or mechanical building, increasing efficiency and life of the units as well as making maintenance more effective.
o FLOURESCENT LIGHTING - Most lighting is provided by flourescent light fixtures with energy saving ballasts and lamps. These are supplemented by diffuse natural lighting in most spaces. An energy-conserving lower lighting mode is available via the light switches for use with more natural light in classrooms.
o FUTURE ENERGY PROVISIONS - Future needs have been already anticipated in the facility's power hardware to help mitigate future remodelling costs.
oTEAM EFFORT - Investing in serious initial planning, programming, and proper sub-consultants makes design effort efficient . The payoff is projects done on time, under budget, with lower long term costs. These are the best spent dollars.