Chartwell School, Seaside, California, USA

Located at Seaside, Chartwell School overlooks the Monterey Bay. Construction works were finished in October 2006. General contractor of the building was Ausonio, Inc and designed by EHDD Architecture and Scott Shell. School occupies 1970 square meters (or 21,200 square feet). The building achieved LEED Platinum award (57 points). The main aim of the designers was to create a perfect and sustainable campus for children suffering from dyslexia, provide them with high-quality air, a system of ventilation, to raise awareness about the concept of zero-electricity, efficiency and sustainable design. Photovoltaic arrays installed on the sloping roofs of the modern building generate electricity. The main “green” factor in the building is efficient use of water. Rainwater is harvested in tanks and later reused for irrigation purposes, thus cutting down water use by 70%. 82% of construction waste was recycled and later reused. Paints used during construction works had no VOC content.

By Astghik Atabekyan, www.building.am