Clackamas High School

Narratives

Architect Narrative

Located in a residential neighborhood, this High School allows flexibility for academic and social interaction while providing a dynamic, safe and secure environment. The facility serves the expanding rural community as a center for continuing education, community meetings, and district-wide physical education activities. The architects found solutions in abundant daylighting, natural ventilation to create an efficient, environmentally friendly school that celebrates learning. In addition, the beautiful, functional and sustainable design also saves substantial natural and financial resources.

The primary organizing strategy of this project is the school-within-the school and the enclosed campus environment is directed toward learning through team participation. The 265,355-square-foot building is divided into four two-story academic houses with a library between them. A central commons with administration and counseling services connects the fine and performing arts wing, the special education areas, support spaces, and the physical education component. The design direction enhanced and incorporated the innovative curriculum and pedagogy with an eye to the future. In view of recent studies on the correlation between greater use of natural daylight and ventilation with increased learning, all precincts were designed using these key features.

The High School was selected by the Energy Foundation to serve as a national model for performance-based compensation and exceptional energy performance. The design provides optimum natural lighting and ventilation and uses a material palette following principles of environmental sensitivity, simplicity and efficiency.

The building was oriented for optimal daylighting, ventilation, solar access and control. Interior daylighting decreases the artificial lighting required, which in turn decreases the heat load and energy costs caused by lights. Occupancy, carbon dioxide and lighting sensors ensure that light and air is provided only as needed. Natural ventilation and cooling is incorporated in all classrooms, commons area and gymnasiums via mechanically controlled dampers, louvers and air stacks. Concrete slabs and concrete masonry walls, which create natural convection, are used as thermal masses to stabilize internal air temperatures throughout the year. Substantial downsizing of the HVAC system (single-zone with variable speed drive) was possible because of significant multi-system integration (i.e., air conditioning was sized to handle only part of the building at any one time and may be switched to various parts of the facility as needed).

A total building and site energy analysis was integrated in the design process and specific requirements for building envelope, HVAC, lighting systems, materials and landscaping features were established. Capital costs for operating systems were balanced with life cycle and energy use analyses. The school is anticipated to achieve energy savings of 44% below the conventional design. Building commissioning will ensure optimum knowledge and performance of systems over the lifetime of the building.

The high school project is testimony to the philosophy that dynamic, exciting and sustainable learning facilities can be built even with very modest budgets. By looking at entire systems to work in harmony with each other, a unique building was created for flexibility of learning and teaching with applications where the building itself becomes a teacher.

Educator Narrative

From Ron Naso, Superintendent, North Clackamas School District, dated 4/29/03

Clackamas High School opened for students in April of 2002, so we have had the chance to see the building in operation for an entire year. In brief, the building design has changed the quality of life for the high school students and staff who utilize it.

Anyone who has visited this building is immediately impressed by two qualities that were absent from the previous environment: space and light. This building with its open two-story core has provided a gallery-like ambiance. Students are able to move about freely in wide hallways, which circle the administrative and counseling areas and give easy access to the commons area, the outdoor courtyards, the media center, and the various instructional wings.

Space is also a noticeable component in the instructional wings. The hallways are wide and well lighted. With the exception of the two first floor academic wings, the ceilings are two-story or vaulted areas, which add to the sense of space.

The architect’s design of this building has featured natural light in the hallways and in the classrooms. While Oregon is not noted for a great deal of sunshine, there are few days when natural light is not a significant component of the building. The use of high windows, light reflectors, and light tubes has made natural light a synergistic part of the building. People who use the building know there is something different about the ambiance. Yet, it is difficult for them to intellectualize that the reason for a general feeling of well-being is the presence of natural light.

Space and light are certainly noticeable. Another less noticeable feature of the building is its energy management. To date, our energy usage at the new high school has been far below our initial projections based on traditional heating and cooling approaches. The natural convection system, which is as simple as manually opening or closing a vent in the classroom, works. Most of the temperature change needs in the classroom can be accommodated with the convection system. The light panels and window systems also provide protection against extreme heat and cooling variations. Despite some initial problems with the computer control system, the automatic lighting controls show evidence of making this building extremely energy efficient.

A high school building needs to be an attractive, welcoming facility that provides an environment of physical comfort and safety . . . and of emotional inspiration. It needs to be both functional and cost-efficient. BOORA Architects have designed a building for Clackamas High School which so elegantly meets these criteria.