The U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Virginia chapter recognized Moseley Architects at their Community Leadership Awards ceremony held on November 16, 2023 at J.R. Tucker High School. This annual event spotlights LEED certified projects in the region that implement environmentally responsible design efforts to positively impact communities. A panel of judges, made up of stakeholders and industry leaders, used this criteria to honor the recently completed Holladay Elementary School with the prestigious Community Champion Award.

Green Strategies

The design of Holladay Elementary School was structured around positive energy performance as a core goal. The team, therefore, performed an energy benchmarking study early on, followed by an integrative design process with Henrico County Public Schools (HCPS) to identify the most cost-effective energy efficiency strategies that would provide the greatest environmental benefit. Resulting design solutions include the following:

• The incorporation of solar panels, an economical, clean resource fostering greater energy independence. It is the first of three HCPS schools to include a rooftop solar system, followed by Moseley-designed J.R. Tucker High School and Highland Springs High School. This feature is projected to generate 33.2% of the school’s annual energy needs.
• An all-electric design to capitalize on the continued improvements to the region’s electric grid as utilities move away from fossil fuels in favor of cleaner, renewable energy sources.
• A courtyard that filters natural light into all learning spaces. Not only does this feature reduce energy consumption, but it also promotes a healthier, more productive academic environment for teachers and students.
• LED interior and exterior light fixtures included throughout the entire school, with daylight sensors in in daylit spaces that adjust artificial light as needed to reduce energy usage while maintaining suitable lighting for occupants.
• A variable refrigerant flow mechanical system with dedicated outside air units (DOAU) and air-side energy recovery, resulting in high energy efficiency.
• A building envelope that includes spectrally selective insulated windows with one-inch low-e glazing. These types of windows create a comfortable environment while decreasing overall energy usage and associated costs.
• The inclusion of sustainable materials that are easily maintained, such as polished concrete floors.

Community Impact

Moseley Architects engaged the public through several meetings, during which the design team listened to Henrico County families, students, staff, administrators, and community members in order to steer the project in a direction that benefits both students and the surrounding area as a whole. As a result, Holladay Elementary School includes several features that contribute to overall camaraderie and wellbeing, including:

• An administration suite featuring a community room that can be used by the public, with limited access to educational wings for security purposes.
• Various parts of the school are available for after-hours use by local community organizations.
• A media center that offers collaborative, flexible areas to build strong bonds in the student body.
• Tiered seating, often referred to as the “learning stair,” supporting small group presentations, story time, and fun performances. This space also serves as a gathering area for students, teachers, and staff.
• A secure courtyard where students can gather for outdoor learning in a safe environment.

Additional Achievements

Holladay Elementary School attained LEED Gold certification in 2023. Additionally, the project previously earned the Outstanding Project Award from Learning by Design magazine as well as the Designed to Earn the Energy Star certification from US EPA, placing it among the most energy efficient K-12 schools in the nation.