North Carolina Green Building Database


Home Search Add Login Quick Print Help

Select from other projects in Wake County		Select from all other projects

Apex Elementary School

The school incorporated numerous low cost and no cost green features into its design.

Address:
700 Tingen Road
Apex, NC 27502
Wake County

Click here for detailed contact information

Public Elementary School for 800 students.

Owner: Wake County Public Schools
Occupant: Wake County Public Schools
Use/Occupancy: Educational
Construction: Varying
Completed: 2004
Size: 25K to 100K sq. ft.
Over 10 acres

Site Conditions: Previous parkland, Extreme slope/hill, Cultural landmark preservation, Suburban residential, Previously developed land, Limited site disturbance, Limited building size, Located near mass transit, Supports use of bicycles, Supports pedestrian use

Media Center

(Photo: Jon Zachary)

Project Image Gallery
(Click on the thumbnail photo to enlarge and see caption.)

Green building techniques, strategies, and technologies
(Click on the paperclip to view attached Power Point presentations, documents, and images.)

Quality management

	Technology	Description	Docs
1	Lifecycle cost analysis	A Lifecycle Cost Analysis was performed on three differenct HVAC systems (Two pipe, four pipe and a water source heat pump). A four pipe system was selected over water source heat pumps based on this analyses.
2	Design team integration	The multidisiplinary team of consultants worked together from the programing to the final inspection phase of the project.

Site

	Technology	Description	Docs
1	Biofilter/bioretention basin	Water quality basin was developed to manage all site stormwater. Higher density site develoment caused no increase in runnoff from existing conditions.
2	East & west shading	Shading is provided with roof overhangs, landscaping and window blinds.
3	Reflective roofing	White pea gravel was used on the built-up roof system resulting in roof reflection minimum of .5 and emissivity of .9.
4	Light pollution reduction	Exterior lighting directs light away from adjacent property.

Water

	Technology	Description	Docs
1	Drought tolerant plants	Drought tolerant and low maintanence planting was used.
2	Low-flow fixtures	Low-flow water closets (1.6 gal) and urinals (1 gal) were used in all toilets and restrooms.
3	Water efficient appliances	Water efficient front-loading washing machines were used in the self-contained teaching kitchen suites.

Energy

	Technology	Description	Docs
1	Air locks	Front entrance doors have air locks to minimize infiltration.
2	High performance glazing	Tinted, insulated low “E” glass was used throughout. Glass was IMF-351 with a multi-functional 1+ coating on the #2 surface.
3	Energy efficient appliances	Energy Efficient appliances were used in the self-contained teaching kitchen suites. Natural gas equipment was used in the school kitchen. The washing machine in the training kitchen is a GE WSXH 208AWW (Energy Star).
4	Highly efficient mechanical system	High efficiency gas boilers and hot water heaters were used.
5	Variable speed motors	Variable speed drives were used on both the hot water and chilled water circulation system.
6	Passive cooling strategies	Low “E” glass was used to reduce heat gain and retain heat in the building. The shgc is .27. However, the exterior window overhangs allow for southern sun to penetrate the classrooms in the winter months. Passive solar calculations were not completed.
7	Daylighting	90% of all occupied spaces have windows. Daylighting in the classrooms is enhanced using light shelfs to reflect sunlight deeper into the classrooms. No daylight modeling performed, however the daylighting was designed as follows: The existing buildings on the existing site significantly influence potential daylight opportunities. Sun shades were cost effective daylight enhancers and glare reducers. No attempt was made to fully daylight all classrooms. Shaded clerestories in the Cafeteria and Media Center intoduce significant daylight into these spaces. Lights at the window wall are controlled at the window wall and not at the classroom entrance in a desire to reduce the use of lights at the window.
8	HVAC controls staff training	Appropriate personnel are trained in the proper operation of HVAC equipment. WCPSS has a centralized DDC Computer controlled system by Barber/Coleman (Yamas) to monitor and manage all mechanical equipment. The system also controls interior corridor and exterior lights. Temperature settings, quantities and timing of the introductions of outside air are managed from the central office. Local users have some override capabilities.
9	HVAC controls management plan	WCPS, has an energy management department that regularly monitors all school HVAC controls. WCPSS has standard operating procedures and a time of day plan for system operation and temperature settings. Holidays are also programmed.
10	Continuous metering	WCPS continuously monitors and meters energy consumption.
11	Airtight duct system	All mechanical ductwork is sealed and insulated.
12	Light shelves	Installed at all south facing windows to maximize daylighting in classrooms.
13	Highly efficient lighting system	T-8 lamps and electronic ballasts were used for all new construction.

Materials

	Technology	Description	Docs
1	Designed for occupant recycling	Container space for recycled cardboard, glass, aluminum and paper is provided on site.
2	Construction waste management plan	Prior to construction, a waste management plan was developed documenting opportunities for recycling of construction debris.
3	Recycling of site debris	75% of salvaged grading and land-clearing debris was recycled. Vegetation was ground up and used as mulch in planter beds.
4	Recycling of construction/demolition waste	50% of construction/demolition debris was recycled. Rubble from demolished buildings was crushed and used for fill material.
5	Salvaged building materials used	Salvaged building materials were used to patch and replace existing floor and ceiling tile.
6	Salvaged fixtures used	Existing light and plumbing fixtures were refurbished and reused.
7	Salvaged furniture used	Existing media center furniture was reupholstered and refinished.
8	Recycled materials used in flooring	Carpet was made using recylced content. Carpet is Collins & Aikman (C&A) Infinity. The used product can be eturned to C&A and be totally recycled.
9	Recycled materials used in structural	Steel components include recycled content.
10	Recycled materials used in outdoor furnishings	Exterior benches were built with recycled material, Trex decking. The playground equipment is made of approximately 20% recycled plastic (milk bottles). For more information contact Basnight at (919) 567-0249.
11	Recycled materials used in landscape	Rubber base at all playgrounds incorporates recycled material, which is made from recycled automobile tires and is installed by Basnight Associates.
12	Local material use	80% of all construction material came from sources within 500 miles of the jobsite.
13	Designed for future renovation	Interior partitions are typically not load-bearing due to steel frame construction and can be removed and/or relocated as future needs dictate.

Indoor environment

	Technology	Description	Docs
1	Low-emitting adhesives	Low VOC emitting adhesives were used for carpet and floor tile.
2	Low-emitting paints & coatings	Low-emitting paints and coatings were used.
3	Low-emitting flooring system	Low VOC emitting carpet was used.
4	Good housekeeping protocols	Good Housekeeping protocols were used
5	Natural ventilation strategies	Mechanical systems have outside air economizers. THe DDC system activates the dampers for ASHRAE compliance. All new mechanical units have economizers that allow outside air to condition the space when conditions permit. Outside air changes are increased during periods of high occupancy.
6	Temperature/humidity monitoring	DDC control system maintaines temperature and manages humidity in the Media Center.
7	Daylighting	Daylighting was enhanced by using light shelfs on south facing windows.
8	Achieved view in 90% of occupied space	All classrooms, public and assembly areas, and most offices have an exterior view and light source.
9	Fungus & mold monitoring	Fungus & Mold monitoring was conducted both during construction and prior to owner occupancy.
10	Low maintenance materials	Exterior finishes included brick, veneer, aluminum thermal break windows and pre-finished metal trim to minimize exterior maintenance requirements.

Other Innovations

	Description	Docs
1	A concrete and masonry crushing machine was brought to the site to create rubble from the demolished buildings. The rubble was then used as fill material.

Contact Information

Specialty Contact Information

Click on the specialty technology in the table above to see contact and other information

General Project Contact

John E. Ramsay, Jr.
Ramsay GMK
Phone: 919-781-0026
Email: jramsay@gmka.com

Relationship to the project: Architect

Project Team

	Involvement	Stage	Name/Address	Phone
1	Owner/developer	Design/Construction	Court Crosby Wake County Public Schools 1551 Rock Quarry Road Raleigh, NC 27610 pcrosby@wcpss.net	919-856-2973
2	Architect	Design/Construction	John E. Ramsay, Jr., AIA Ramsay GMK 3200 Beechleaf Court, Suite 901 Raleigh, NC 27604 jramsay@gmka.com	919-781-0026
3	Engineer - structural	Design/Construction	Bill Dixon Dixon Associates 260 West Millbrook Road Raleigh, NC 27609 dixonengrs@aol.com	919-780-7005
4	Engineer - civil	Design/Construction	Steven Miller, PE CLH Design 125 Edinburgh South, Suite 310 Cary, NC 27511	(919) 319-6716
5	Engineer - mechanical	Design/Construction	Jeff Bernagozzi GMK Associates 1201 Main Street, Suite 2100 Columbia, SC 29201	803-256-0000
6	Engineer - electrical	Design/Construction	Brell Foster GMK Associates 1201 Main Street, Suite 2100 Columbia, 29201	803-256-0000
7	Contractor - general	Construction	Barry Gardner Shelco, Inc. 3201 Beechleaf Court, Suite 401 Raleigh, NC 27604 bgarddner@shelcoinc.com	919-877-2607
8	Landscape architect	Design/Construction	Dennis Pitts McNeely Associates 5501 McNeely Drive Raleigh, NC 27612	919-782-9677
9	Interior designer	Design/Construction	Sue Ramsay, ISP Witty! and Associates 3200 Beechleaf Court, Suite 901 Raleigh, NC 27604 sue@wittyandassociates.com	919-781-1519
10	Roofing Consultant	Design/Construction	John Willers, PE Rooftop Systems Engineers, PC 5878 Faringdon Place, Suite 2 Raleigh, NC 27609	919-872-7866