Henrico High Schools Earn LEED Gold

The newly redesigned J.R. Tucker High School and Highland Springs High School in Henrico County, Va., were recently awarded Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Gold certification by the Green Business Certification, Inc. (GBCI).

Main entrance of Highland Springs, a new k-12 school in Virginia — Main entrance of Highland Springs High School

These were the two oldest high schools in the county, so Moseley Architects and Henrico County Public Schools (HCPS) collaborated to revamp each campus and create educational facilities suited for the 21^st century. Green strategies were employed throughout the facilities to foster sustainable, environmentally friendly learning environments.

Some of the key strategies and sustainable features employed in each building include the following:

Waste Management

An implementation plan that resulted in recycling more than 75% of construction waste.
A prevention plan enacted during the construction process minimized pollution.

Courtyard at Tucker, a new k-12 school in Virginia — Courtyard at Tucker High School

Site Considerations

Both campuses were built on previously developed land, thus preserving nearby greenfield sites and local ecology, while allowing for the utilization of existing infrastructure.
Open outdoor spaces occupying more than 30% of each site area.
Building and site amenities that are available for community use.
Infrastructure incorporated into the site plan that allows for residents to deposit materials for recycling.

Energy Performance

Energy costs reduced by approximately 55%.
Renewable energy systems.
Utilization of building level energy metering.

Water Conservation

Indoor water use reduced by over 35% through low flow fixtures and fittings.
Irrigation not required in landscape design, other than on athletic fields.
Facilities equipped with water-conserving commercial washing machines and kitchen equipment.
Utilization of water metering.

Corridor with view of media center in Tucker High School, a new k-12 facility in Virginia — Corridor overlooking media center in Tucker High School

Indoor Environment

Thermal and lighting comfort control.
A construction indoor air quality management plan and use of low-VOC materials protected interior air quality.
Infrastructure incorporated within each school that allows for residents to deposit materials for recycling.

Classroom in Highland Springs, a new k-12 school in Virginia — Classroom in Highland Springs High School

A Building That Teaches

Highland Springs High School’s Science Honor Society hosted a virtual presentation from Moseley Architects’ director of sustainability planning and design, Bryna Dunn, and Henrico County’s energy manager, Carrie Webster. The presentation provided insight into features of the new school that exhibit our team’s green strategies, using the new building as a teaching tool for young learners.

As environmentally conscious design choices continue to take priority in the built environment, these projects further exemplify Moseley Architects’ desire to contribute to a more sustainable future for those who live, work and play in the buildings we design.