Abstract:

The Philadelphia School District has a stock of over 90 school buildings listed on the National Register that were constructed between 1920 and 1940, most of which are still in use today. With a minimum size of 50 000 sq ft per building , this resource of over 5×106sq ft of building area is likely to remain in use for at least another generation. The classrooms in the buildings are very similar in construction consisting of large windows, narrow floor plates, and concrete construction. The School District has also adopted the policy that every one of their new and renovated schools will be LEED certified under LEED For Schools 2007. Since it is not practical to raze these buildings, what can be done to meet the LEED certification? It is surprising how “green” they are. What is old is new again.