Bishop O’Dowd High School’s Center for Environmental Studies (CES) is home to the school’s environmental science and engineering program. The new academic building features two large laboratory classrooms, a faculty office and prep space, restrooms, and storage. While working for a former employer, IDeAs engineers led the design of the electrical systems for this project including power distribution, lighting and the photovoltaic systems. Building orientation; high-performing building envelope; low-emissivity dual glazed windows plus shading; daylighting and natural ventilation; high-efficiency mechanical, electrical and lighting systems; radiant-heated concrete slab with electric heat pump; 11.5 kW photovoltaic array provides 100% of the building’s energy; roof water collected into a 4,500 gallon cistern used for toilets; site water captured, cleansed by the bioswale and directed to the Living Lab tank system and pond; low-flow plumbing fixtures reduce water usage by 60%; high-recycled content building materials; wood siding reclaimed from detention trees; repurposed materials from previous campus projects; FSC wood; low or free formaldehyde and VOC building materials. The project is LEED Platinum Certified and Net Zero Energy Verified.
