Eco Factor: Sustainable architecture focuses on energy efficiency.
Designed by Anderson Anderson Architecture, the Harvard Yard Child Care Center provides a healthy indoor environment by making use of sustainable materials and environmentally-friendly construction methods. The air quality inside this modular school building is maintained with non-toxic construction materials, finish surfaces and paints.
Natural ventilation is provided with monitored fresh air intake in the mechanical system and with operable windows for fresh air. Windows and solar tube skylights have also been introduced to maximize daylight. Acoustical dampening is essential to interior experience, and the children’s ability to learn and distinguish spoken language is especially affected by background sound levels and surface echo. This building has advanced mechanical systems that have been tested as 20 to 35 times quieter than traditional systems.
The use of high-quality windows and high-performance GreenGuard insulation reduces heat loss, which reduces energy waste. The high-efficiency Bard heating, ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC) mechanical systems use sensors and electronic controls to minimize energy use while optimizing temperature and fresh outside air as the number of people and activity increase in a room.
Moreover, sustainable materials and construction systems are employed throughout the building. Wherever possible, the architects have made use of high-recycled content materials including wallboards, cabinet systems and ceiling tiles.
Via: Anderson Anderson Architecture
