Completed in July 2009, Lovett Middle School in Atlanta was designed to reflect the school’s commitment to environmental stewardship. The school currently has LEED Silver certification and is seeking LEED Gold certification.
The green middle school is also a teaching tool. Teachers are able to use the school’s 5,000-square-foot (465-m2) roof garden as an outdoor classroom and laboratory, that will also showcase an innovative system for harvesting rainwater for irrigation. Solar hot water, bamboo flooring, carpet with recycled content and daylight sensors are some of the many sustainable features included in the school.
The project used 10,547 square feet (980 m2) of 0.16-inch (4-mm) ALPOLIC aluminum composite material, FR Core in Cadet Grey, and 3,544 square feet (329 m2) of 0.16-inch ALPOLIC ACM, FR Core in Bone White. The ALPOLIC ACM panels are from Mitsubishi Plastics Composites America Inc., Chesapeake, Va.
“Used in conjunction with glass curtainwall, the metal panels convey a sense of transparency and lightness as the upper portion of the building emerges from its masonry base. The material and color of the panels could be selected for compatibility with the building’s aluminum curtainwall system, and standing-seam metal roof,” said Jeanne Carey, AIA, LEED AP, with Shepley Bulfinch Richardson and Abbott. “Metal panels are a versatile, modern and durable material. They provide good quality, ease of construction and ability to achieve an energy-efficient envelope.”
Shepley Bulfinch Richardson and Abbott, Boston, was the architect; Brasfield & Gorrie LLC, Kennesaw, Ga., was the general contractor; Altech Panel Systems LLC, Cartersville, Ga., was the fabricator; SECO Architectural Systems Inc., Snellville, Ga., was the metal panel installer; and Glass Systems Inc., Lithonia, Ga., installed the glass curtainwall.
Mitsubishi Plastics Composites
America Inc., www.alpolic-usa.com
