Cate houses attain Platinum LEED certification
CARPINTERIA, California--Cate School, a four year college preparatory boarding school in Carpinteria, California, received the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) Platinum LEED Certification, the highest possible rating, for the sustainable design and function of five new faculty homes. Cate now has 5 of only 154 Platinum-certified residences nationwide.
In order for Cate School to receive the highest LEED ratings, the School incorporated into its teachers' houses solar panels that will produce more electricity than the homes will consume, on-demand hot water heating systems, recycled building materials, wood flooring recommended by the Forest Stewardship Council, non-toxic paints and carpeting, and drought-tolerant landscaping. The homes are also equipped with water and energy conserving appliances.
The new residences have actually changed the lives of the faculty families who live in them. "We've always been conscious about our impact on the environment,"
While the Platinum certifications are a tangible recognition of Cate School's commitment to environmental stewardship, the decision to build the award-winning homes emerged from the ethos that has guided Cate School for nearly a century.
"Ever since Curtis Cate founded this school nearly 100 years ago," commented headmaster Ben Williams, "the community has felt a responsibility to the Mesa we inhabit. Environmentalism is an appropriate and logical part of education, but the marriage of human endeavor and environmental stewardship truly distinguishes Cate School. How fitting that, on the eve of our second century, the facilities constructed upon this Mesa are acknowledged by the U.S. Green Building Council as the new paradigm in sustainability, environmental responsibility, and energy efficiency. Neither Mr. Cate, nor those of us fortunate to continue the work he began, expect anything less."
ADDITIONAL SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES at Cate School:
* New Early Childhood Learning Center is awaiting Gold Platinum Certification
* New water treatment facility (under construction)
* Dining hall uses organic and/or local produce, fruits, and breads
* Student-led projects (including "The Green Team) to conserve energy and water, and recycle synthetic and organic materials
* Creek restoration projects
* Community awareness programs that involve California schools and businesses
ABOUT LEED
In order to earn Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, a building must submit a detailed application and documentation of compliance with the rating system earning at least 26 out of the possible 69 points. Buildings with more points can earn increasingly elite degrees of certification:
LEED standards cover six major ecological areas:
Sustainable sites (14 points); Water efficiency (5 points); Energy and atmosphere (17 points); Materials and resources (13 points); Indoor environmental quality (15 points); Innovation and design process (5 points)
Photo:
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