Commercial Architecture June 2016 - (Page 32)

PROJECT hvac Above. Trane unit ventilators with electronically commutated motor (ECM) technology were installed at two schools. Left. A suburban-Chicago-based school district used equipment from Trane to update and replace HVAC systems to provide students safe, efficient, and quiet classrooms. C lassroom Energy Solutions Enhance Learning Environment conditions in Cook conditioning there were days at the begin- County School District 104, a ning and end of the school year when class- near-west suburban district just room temperatures rose above 90 F. This outside Chicago with about 1,800 students caused class cancellations on numerous occa- in kindergarten through eighth grade, were sions and, in some instances, students with having a negative impact on student perfor- asthma or other health conditions had to be mance and teacher morale. Providing appro- moved to other schools. priate indoor air quality and a comfortable "Our students are not as productive, en- environment conducive to learning is a criti- gaged, or ready to learn when they are horri- cal part of the school district's mission. How- bly hot," said Amanda Deaton, principal at ever, like so many school districts, financial the district's WW Walker Elementary constraints made large infrastructure invest- School. "We expect them to perform well on ments a challenge. high-stakes testing for the state, and we're not With five schools in the district-and mechanical systems dating back to the 1960s- providing a comfortable learning environment to enable them to do that." the district began a process of renovating its Trane products redesign mechanical systems for two schools. 32 COMMERCI A L A RCHI T EC T URE JUNE 2016 commercialarchitecturemagazine.com facilities to improve performance and effi- SOLUTIONS ciency. An economic downturn interrupted The district wanted to provide a comfortable progress on the districts' facility improve- learning environment for its students and ments leaving only three of the five schools teachers in an energy-efficient manner. Hav- renovated and causing a lack of parity within ing worked with Trane, Piscataway, NJ, in the the district. past, district superintendent Troy Whalen The two remaining buildings had heat- contacted Trane team members to discuss ing-only mechanical systems. Without air the necessary facility renovations. The over- http://www.commercialarchitecturemagazine.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Commercial Architecture June 2016

The Architects
Green Schools Score High Marks
Modular Skylights Brighten College Spaces
More Sauce, Less Electricity
Lighting Improves Hotel Aesthetics, Safety, Security
UV Improves HVAC
Energy Solutions Enhance Learning Environment
Tree Trunks Furnish Store Backbone
Roofing, Skylights Boost Medical Stats
Building Technology Products
Showcase
Index
Portfolio

Commercial Architecture June 2016