Follansbee Contributes to New Jersey School's LEED Platinum Certification

PRLog (Press Release) – Aug 12, 2008 – Media Contact: Lauren Ban
Phone: 412-571-1600
E-mail:  Lauren@larsonobrien.com
Photos: http://larsonobrien.com/follansbee/html/_willow_school.html

FOLLANSBEE, WV…A Follansbee TCS II® roof lends a combination of sustainable attributes and unique visual appeal to the newest addition to the Willow School, a K-8 private elementary school in Gladstone, NJ, which recently attained USGBC® LEED® Platinum Certification.  

Follansbee TCS II was previously specified for the Willow School’s main building in 2003, contributing to the LEED Gold Certification of that structure.  As part of the Willow School’s green building initiative, the entire school was built to be environmentally friendly.  Green aspects range from 100% recycled high-density polyethylene piping used in place of PVC pipes, reducing the presence of vinyl, to Douglas fir recycled and salvaged from vinegar tanks at the Heinz ketchup factory in Pittsburgh for the windows.  Desks and furniture were made from trees harvested onsite and terrazzo glass tile was recycled from airplane windshields.  

Phase two included construction of the 13,000-square-foot building known as "the Barn," which houses a middle school, a dining facility, and a performing arts and science center.  Like the Willow School’s main building, the Barn was constructed primarily from salvaged, recycled and rapidly renewable materials and used only ultra low- or zero-VOC paints, coatings, sealants and adhesives.  The Follansbee roof lends an added element of sustainability, helping to conserve rainwater harvested from the roof and used to flush toilets within the school.  

“Our mission to go green began when we worked with Follansbee during phase one,” explains Willow School co-founder Mark Biedron, who currently serves as the school’s director of development and external affairs.  

“For phase two, we continuously wished for a product that was environmentally friendly, low-maintenance and long lasting.  Our focus was to build the ‘100 year building’ (the barn).  Follansbee was able to provide the necessary long-lasting roofing materials to help achieve our goal.”  

Follansbee’s popular TCS II, an architectural stainless steel coated with Follansbee's patented ZT® (zinc/tin) alloy, does not require painting and weathers naturally to an attractive gray patina.  Durable and long-lasting, TCS II has surpassed 22,000 hours of ASTM salt spray testing with no signs of red rust.


"Using a reliable product like Follansbee’s TCS II with such notably high-recycled content was significantly beneficial,” continues Biedron.  “Overall it really helped us achieve the LEED Platinum Certification we aimed for.”  

“TCS II not only enriches the rustic aesthetic appeal of the Willow School, but is also solderable and virtually maintenance-free, which allows for easier maintenance of the new building,” says Edward Thomas, Follansbee vice president and general manager.  “Because it can withstand corrosion and environmental stress, it was the ideal option for the planned longevity of the building.”  

Dissatisfied with schools that only focused on the latest technology and high-tech gadget trends in the classroom, Biedron wanted his own children to grow up at a school that used a hands-on approach to a learning curriculum through nature.  Because he could not find the exact characteristics he was looking for in an existing school in his hometown of Gladstone, NJ, Biedron and his wife, Gretchen, decided to design the Willow School.    

Phase two construction was completed in September 2007.  Hone + Associates, Lambertville, NJ, served as the project’s architect, Solid Wood Construction and Sustainable Growth Technologies, Gladstone, NJ, served as green/sustainable design consultants, and Strober Roofing Metal Works, Ringoes, NJ, served as roofing contractor. The Willow School was the general contractor for the project.  

Plans for the Willow School’s third phase of construction are currently in the works.  Phase three will include the addition of a new 15,000-square-foot classroom building and a 17,000-square- foot Health, Wellness and Nutrition Center.  Both of the buildings will be built to USGBC LEED Platinum Standards and Cascadia Living Building Challenge Standards.  Phase three construction is slated to begin in late 2009 or early 2010.   Follansbee offers nine preformed profiles, including six standing seam.  

The highly versatile TCS II offers excellent formability, and can be tailored into vertical walls, barrel applications, shingles, and customized flat or spherical shapes.  Solderable and virtually maintenance-free, TCS II offers a classic, traditional look.