I had a wonderful opportunity to photograph and witness one of the nicest, most environmentally conscious (top LEAD certification), and educationally enriching public schools in America. Commissioned by Hess Construction + Engineering , I shot both architectural project images and documentary photographs of students interacting and utilizing the newly built Manassas Park Elementary School in Virginia. Images are not only being used by Hess for their marketing portfolio, but Victoria Bergsagel, nationally recognized founder and director of Architects of Achievement , used the photographs to illustrate her presentation and analysis of the synergy between learning environments, building design, and community involvement to the Council of Educational Facility Planners International.
The design interplays the environmental and learning aspects of the building so that students are engaged in their learning while also keenly aware of the environment around them related to energy and water usage.
Key sustainable design and construction elements include:
-Sloped ceilings painted white aimed at windows thus reflecting more light.
-Daylight harvesting by solar tube skylights (I love these). The tubes collect sunlight on the roof through a domed prism and reflects the light down into the classrooms.
-Automatic light controls that sense the light in the room and minimize use of electrical fixtures when the solar tubes and windows provide enough light (which is most of the time, even on cloudy days).
Other sustainable features include: natural ventilation, light louvers, ground heat exchange, and rainwater reuse…all these features interplay with the innovative educational programs of the school.
You can see a selection of photos in the “Buildings-Architecture" portfolio of my website. Photos of the students utilizing the school will be forth coming upon the school's student photo release clearance.
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