Heartwood Annex (Core Green Building)
The 8th Grade Classroom project developed from a need to meet our school’s expanding student enrollment, while remaining true to Waldorf principles. Designed to be Net Zero ready, the project is currently targeting Core Green Building Certification with the International Living Future Institute. This addition to our campus provides an ideal environment where our older students thrive.
A Building in Harmony with the Earth and its Resources
Arial or plan view
About the Building
Natural, Sustainable Materials
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Regionally sourced hemlock at exterior north wall
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Sustainably harvested plywood at ceiling and exterior soffits
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Interior casework on window seat made with wood from large pin oak felled on-site after a storm
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Cement board rain screen assembly
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Interior doors and hardware procured through local door salvaging company
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Slate chalkboard salvaged from school’s main building
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Salvaged mirrors procured through local materials reuse company
Energy
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Energy efficient envelope includes highly insulated walls and roof
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High performance exterior glazing
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High efficiency fan coil unit (FCU) for heating
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Energy recovery ventilator (ERV) to recycle captured heat
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Point-of-use water heaters
Light and Air
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Daylight harvesting through fully-glazed west facade
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Natural ventilation through operable windows and ceiling fans
Water
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Rain chain celebration of water, fabricated by local metal craftsman
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Rain barrel stores harvested rainwater for raised bed and garden irrigation
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Underground dry well for stormwater management created on site of demolished gray house
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Low-flow plumbing fixtures reduce on-site water usage by 80% below baseline
Accessibility
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Broad paved pathways within landscape promote accessibility
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Open, single-level building design promotes accessibility
From the classroom architects, Bohlin Cywinski Jackson:
The Eighth Grade Classroom project developed from a need to meet the school’s expanding student enrollment. The Classroom is a 1,000 SF stand-alone structure, designed to house the 25-person eighth grade class, and includes the main teaching space as well as support space such as a mudroom, cubbies, restrooms, and storage.
Based on the Waldorf principles, the educational development of eighth grade students is focused on strengthening independence and thinking beyond themselves as they explore the outside world. Therefore, the building is intentionally situated away from the main schoolhouse. The massing of the classroom is simple yet thoughtful, with the service bar lining the south edge and the teaching space opening to the north. A gently arced wall delineates the perimeter of the interior teaching space, yet physiologically connects the students to the outdoors. Playing off the shape of the exterior pathway, this wall forms a gesture of embrace around the beloved outdoor green space, which doubles as an amphitheater during large school events.
In keeping with the school’s emphasis on authenticity and health, the materials palette is muted and natural. The service bar is cladded in a horizontal cement board siding, while the arced north wall is sheathed in a vertical lapped black locust wood siding. The interior is warm and inviting with wood casework built from a large pin oak felled on site.
To showcase (and teach) sustainable building practices and promote healthy learning environments, the Classroom is pursuing both Core Green Building Certification with the International Living Future Institute and WELL Building Standard.