Green Building at New Vista

Features and efforts in this area aim to reduce environmental impacts from transportation by making it easier for building occupants to use sustainable modes of transportation such as public transit, biking, walking, and carpooling.  

• Located near public transit
• Near bike lanes and paths
• Plans include ample bike racks (23)
• Plans include EV charging stations (definitely 4, +4 more possible)
• Overall number of parking spaces was reduced 
• Considering including preferred parking for carpools

Features and efforts in this area aim to reduce the heat island effect:

• Turf is artificial.
• Over 100 trees will be planted. 
• Vegetated open space is over 60% of total area.

Features and efforts in this area aim to reduce water consumption:

• Landscaping with low water plants
• Low flow fixtures inside
• Non-potable irrigation

Features and efforts in this area aim to reduce energy consumption and reduce emissions from carbon-based energy sources. 

• Enhanced commissioning: Commissioning is conducted at the end of construction to ensure the building's systems are operating as designed, i.e. as efficiently as possible.
• Energy use modeling developed by the project team predicts the new building will consume less than 40% of the energy used by the existing building. In technical terms, the new building is predicted to be at 35 EUI compared to the existing building which is 90 EUI. (EUI = Energy Use Intensity and measures how well a building is performing. The lower the EUI, the more efficient the building is.) The following features contribute to this impressive performance:
  • 96% efficient condensing boiler
  • Energy Recovery Ventilators, DX cooling and condensing boiler
  • Lighting which is 40-60% less than 2021 energy code minimums
  • The building's estimated annual energy cost is less than 85% of the code baseline energy cost
• New Vista's energy performance will be comparable to BVSD's highest performing schools, including Meadowlark at 33 EUI and LEED Platinum certified Casey Middle School, which is at 27 EUI.
• Roof is solar ready.
• Advanced energy metering will provide live data of the building's energy performance, allowing staff to make adjustments right away.

Features and efforts in this area aim to reduce the consumption of materials and resources. 

• Materials used in the project follow BVSD's green building guiding principles, which means they are low VOC, include recycled content , are recyclable and are energy efficient. 
• The Sustainability team is working with school staff to reuse, repurpose, and recycle furniture and equipment which will not be needed in the new building.
• BVSD has a goal of 75% waste diversion for construction. Most of the waste generated during the construction project will be related to the demolition of the old building.

Features and efforts in this area aim to create a high level of indoor environmental quality. 

• Monitors on fresh air intakes for rooftops track the level of CO2 in the building and adjust inflow of fresh air as needed.
• Materials used in the project are low VOC to reduce toxins in the indoor environment.
• All the air in the building will be flushed with fresh air before occupancy to remove construction dust or contaminants.
• Operable windows allow users to adjust fresh air flow.
• Rooms have thermostats for individual control.
• There is ample daylighting throughout the school.

The new building has outdoor learning spaces and two outdoor lab patios.