SWAMPSCOTT — The town’s new elementary school officially earned a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold Certificate, having greatly surpassed its initial goal of creating a sustainable school building.
Lavallee Brensinger Architects was credited with delivering a high-performance, energy-efficient school. The firm initially aimed for the Silver Certificate. However, its focus on innovation has pushed the project ahead of its initial expectations.
By pushing the boundaries of sustainable design, Lavallee Brensinger Architects helped create one of the greenest, most energy-efficient school buildings throughout Massachusetts, according to the press release. The design of the building aimed to prioritize environmental responsibility, student well-being and energy efficiency.
“The dedication, expertise and relentless pursuit of education transformed Swampscott Elementary School into a national model for sustainable schools, setting a shining example of forward-thinking education design,” the press release stated.
“The collaboration between the architects and our team was outstanding throughout the process, and it shows in the results,” Superintendent of Schools Pamela Angelakis said.
Standing at three stories and 153,800 square feet, when the school opened in September 2024, it was designed to both enhance student learning and reduce its environmental footprint. By using cutting-edge energy systems, innovative building strategies, water-conserving fixtures, and environmentally friendly materials, the school has fostered an environment where its students can thrive.
The elementary school has several key elements that make it a leading entity in the journey towards more sustainable schools. One is the school’s high-performance HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) to ensure superior fresh air circulation throughout the school. Also, there is geothermal energy integration, with the site being powered by 85 closed-loop geothermal wells, which help tap Earth’s natural thermal energy and temperature stability for heating and cooling.
Also featured is the inclusion of Smart Ventilation Technology, where the school’s cafeteria, kitchen and gymnasium feature air-source heat pump Air Handling Units (AHUs), which utilize CO-based demand-controlled ventilation, automatically adjusting fresh air supply based on occupancy, to ensure optimal indoor air quality while reducing energy waste.
Another feature is the Exceptional Energy Performance, which was designed to outperform most education facilities to show that high-performance design can be paired with sustainability.
The project was funded by the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) and the town. LiRo-Hill served as the Owner’s Project Manager and CTA Construction Manager served as the general contractor that led the construction, which began in November 2022.
“Swampscott Elementary School’s LEED Gold Certification is a testament to the town’s leadership in green building, environmental responsibility and educational excellence,” the press release stated. “This school now serves as an inspiration not only for the students, teachers and larger community of Swampscott, but also for future K-12 educational facilities, proving that sustainability plays a role in student success.”
