LEED Silver Certification for the New LHS School is the 2nd LEED Silver for an Ohio School and the First for a school in the State, designed by an ‘Ohio’ Architectural Firm
Oregon, Ohio
A unique project unto itself, the Lutheran Home Society is an alternative learning environment for children with special needs. In a farm-like atmosphere, over 100 years ago, youth with troubles pasts were taught the values of rural America, working the fields and tending the live stock. The barn became the focal point of this educational process.
As this new facility was conceived, the Owner with strong convictions and social consciousness directed the architect to design a school which would be environmentally responsible, minimize operating costs and save the cost of building materials by incorporating the existing barn into the design. Dramatically the barn was lifted up and moved to a new location.
This project achieved LEED “silver” certification under the USGBC Green Building Rating System by using low flow fixtures to reduce water usage by 40%, Solar tube skylights, clearstory windows, motion and light sensors to reduce lighting energy loads, and R-values that are double the normal for the roofs and walls. Designed to minimize carbon emissions and save natural resources, specifying materials harvested and manufactured within a 500 miles of the school, and using materials with high recycled content makes this an exemplary school of note.
Completion Date: September 2008
Square Footage: 11,696
