Diamond Elementary School achieves LEED Silver Certification
June 17, 2019
LS3P’s design for Diamond Elementary School in Ft. Stewart, GA has achieved LEED Silver Certification. The K-12 school operated by the US Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) features passive design strategies and a high-performance Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) envelope. The economical, durable system has enough mass to absorb thermal energy during the day and release it slowly in the evening, greatly reducing the school’s need for air conditioning and lowering operating expenses. Other strategies for sustainability include daylighting, low-flow plumbing fixtures, a geothermal HVAC system, and demonstration photovoltaic panels.
LS3P Associate Principal and Architect Laura McLeod, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, worked diligently to design an innovative interior environment that merges with the high-performance design. “DoDEA is a strong proponent of 21st Century learning environments which support diverse modalities for teaching and learning,” she explains. “Diamond is divided into ‘neighborhoods’ to create welcoming, child-scale spaces, and the highly visible sustainability strategies are learning tools to help students understand the interconnectedness of the systems and develop a sense of pride and ownership in the building.”
About LEED: “LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is the most widely used green building rating system in the world. Available for virtually all building, community and home project types, LEED provides a framework to create healthy, highly efficient and cost-saving green buildings. LEED certification is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement.”
About LS3P
Founded in 1963, LS3P is an architecture, interiors, and planning firm with regional roots and national reach. Operating from its eight offices in Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, Myrtle Beach, Charlotte, Raleigh, Wilmington, and Savannah, LS3P is deeply committed to the communities in which it serves, and has been honored with over 560 design awards in diverse practice areas. For more information on LS3P, visit www.ls3p.com.
