Clackamas High School

Key Project Information Project Title: Clackamas High School
Project Location: Clackamas, Oregon
Owner: North Clackamas School District
Architect: BOORA Architects
Civil Engineer: Compass Engineering
MEP Engineer: CBG Consulting Engineers
Electrical Engineer: Interface Engineering
Structural Engineer: KPFF Consulting Engineers
Sustainability: RMI/ENSAR
Landscape Architect: Beighley & Associates
Contractor: Anderson Construction, Inc.


Total Capital Cost: US$31 million
Square Footage: 265,000 sq. ft.
Energy Use: 28.1kBtu/sq. ft./yr
Energy Cost Savings: US$69,000/yr
Annual Energy Reduction: 39%
LEED Certification: v2.0 Silver

Project Overview

Clackamas High School - Clackamas, Oregon

Located in the suburbs of Portland, the 265,000-square-foot school serves more than 1,800 students and staff. The project was selected by Rocky Mountain Institute and the Energy Foundation to pilot a performance-based compensation program aimed at encouraging designers to collaborate and create energy-efficient buildings. The two-story building was completed in April 2002 and received LEED-NC Silver certification in 2003. In addition to serving the student population, the building also acts as a local community center. Divided into four two-story spaces with a central library/media area, the building successfully integrates academic and social environments.

RMI/ENSAR Role

RMI/ENSAR provided comprehensive daylighting analysis and design as well as energy analysis and design strategies. This motivated the building’s designers to incorporate many creative energy-saving design strategies.

Results

The building incorporates daylighting, light shelves, electric lighting, occupancy sensors, and dimmer controls to minimize HVAC loads, reduce lighting power density, and provide abundant natural light. The majority of spaces are served by natural ventilation, with back-up mechanical systems monitored by energy management and control systems. These systems, combined with proper orientation and high-performance building envelope components, reduce HVAC use by 60 percent compared to a standard facility of the same size. The building was designed with deconstruction in mind and includes recyclable materials and minimizes finishes where possible. Local materials were used and more than 97 percent of construction waste was recycled.