Albemarle County Public Schools

Photo Credit: 2RW Consultants

Arlington Public Schools Discovery Elementary School

Arlington, VA

Owner

Arlington Public Schools

Sustainability

Zero Energy Building Certification, LEED Gold, LEED Zero

Timeframe

2012 – 2015

Size

99,000 SF

Cost

$31 million

EP/FP engineering for Discovery Elementary School supported one of the nation’s first net-zero energy schools, with systems designed to minimize energy use and integrate seamlessly with on-site renewable generation. The design includes high-efficiency electrical infrastructure, plumbing systems aligned with low-water-use strategies, and fire-protection systems coordinated within a highly integrated, performance-driven building approach.

These systems contribute to a fully electric, ultra-low-energy facility that annually produces as much energy as it consumes, supporting long-term operational efficiency and a high-performance learning environment.

Project Goals

Discovery Elementary School, a new Pre-K through 5 school with a capacity of 650 students, is the first new elementary school built in Arlington, Virginia, in the 21st century. The primary goal was to design the best place for learning—an inspiring space that is safe, comfortable, and healthy. As a Net Zero Energy building, it also sets a new standard for sustainability and innovation for the County’s future schools and demonstrates what can be achieved with a public school facility.

Services

Design of solar thermal water heating system in the solar learning lab
Connection of photovoltaic and solar thermal collectors to energy meters which students can access through an online dashboard to track energy data in real-time. Students can compare thermal and photovoltaic generation and experiment with how weather and angle affect energy production
Plumbing system design
Design of service water heating system tied to the geothermal system
Design of rainwater collection/storage system
Electric power distribution and low voltage design
Fire suppression system design

Results

In every element of design, this Net Zero school, the first one in the mid-Atlantic and the largest in the U.S., serves as a conduit for learning, encouraging a new generation of environmental stewards.

Partners

VMDO Architects

Springpoint Structural LLC

CBRE | Heery International

Awards

2020 – Honorable Mention in World Changing Ideas, Education and Spaces, Places, and Cities – Fast Company
2019 – Net Zero Award, USGBC
2018 – Technology Award, Educational Facilities, ASHRAE
2017 – Green Ribbon School,U.S. Department of Education
2017 – Presidential Citation for Sustainability, AIA|DC
2017 – Top Ten Award, AIA COTE
2016 – Project of Distinction, A4LE
2016 – Honor Award, AIA Central Virginia
2015 – Award of Excellence – DESIGNArlington