Kiowa County Schools
The first LEED Platinum K-12 school in the U.S. creates a space for students centered on well-being, productivity and enhanced learning.
Information
- Location Greensburg, Kansas
- Size 125,000 SF
- Completion 2010
- Services Architecture
- Project Type Education Centers
- Certification LEED Platinum
After all of its facilities were destroyed in an EF-5 tornado that struck Greensburg, Kansas, in May 2007, the Kiowa County School District (USD-422) decided to rebuild in an expeditious, sustainable, high-performance and progressive manner. In its quest to embrace the spirit of the Greensburg community and commitment to LEED Platinum design, BNIM and the School District constructed new educational and public use facilities that accommodate and enhance the District’s educational mission in an outstanding and high quality way. Rather than developing low, first-cost buildings, the District created buildings that are a source of pride and will bring value to the community for decades to come. The school facilities are designed to serve 350+ students, include Pre-K & Kindergarten, Elementary School, Middle School, and High School students. The program encompassed the design of a library, distance learning center, science labs, main gymnasium, auxiliary gymnasium, art music wing, courtyards, playgrounds, cafeteria and kitchen, and football stadium/track and field. The facility also includes an above-grade FEMA-compliant storm shelter large enough to accommodate the entire population of the school.
Impact + Innovation
As one of the first civic buildings in Greensburg to be constructed to meet LEED Platinum standards, Kiowa County School serves as a major community focal point; a catalyst for future building; a regional leader in environmentally responsible educational facilities; as well as a tool to promote student health, productivity, and enhanced learning. The school’s design incorporates innovative sustainable strategies, particularly related to daylighting, building envelope, site, resource use, energy production, rainwater harvesting, furniture and fixture selection, and building materials. In particular, the new school features design strategies and integrated systems to achieve net zero energy and water. The school facilities meet the highest and best value both in the short-term and over the entire lifecycle of the buildings, and its sustainable design features ensure financial returns to the school district year after year.
BNIM designed the stormwater filtration system and all site components including bioswales, raingardens, walking trails, streetscape, bridges, gathering nodes, educational garden plots, playgrounds, and stadium. Runoff from the K-12 school is piped into a galvanized steel trough, raingardens, and then a concrete trough headed toward the underground cistern. Runoff from the high school is picked up by a series of downspouts and connected to the collection spine with concrete troughs. In all, six large cisterns are connected in an integrated strategy
Process
The Greensburg rebuilding process is a successful example of how sustainable planning ensures sustainable community development. The public involvement process emerged as one of the most important factors that led to a unified community vision and goals, high performance design, and successful implementation. Over 300 people gathered under a large tent raised on the east edge of town, eager to share their ideas for rebuilding. The tent remained a community gathering space throughout the recovery process, hosting several design workshops and community meetings. Throughout the design process for Kiowa County School, every decision was weighed against a single question: How does this benefit the students? The Greensburg student was at the heart of all design strategies, each material selection, every project meeting, and all allocations of fund. The result is a new Greensburg school that truly responds to the needs of each student and exemplifies the spirit of the student community.
People
Team
- Hans Nettelblad
- Sam De Jong
- Casey Cassias
- Joe Keal
- Therese Allinder
- Christina Assmann
- Brian McKinney
- Brad Clark
- Mark O'Hara
- Jean Dodd
- Matt Schuepbach
- Greg Pfau
- Brian Rock
- Mike Pollmann
- Laura Pastine
- Joshua Kriz
- James Schuessler
- Michael Gekas
- Timothy Duggan
- Sebren Ryan Camp
- Aaron Ross
- Ramana Koti
- Kristin Long
- Celine Armstrong
Client
Greensburg School District - USD 422
Awards
IIDA Mid America
Mid-America Design Awards – Gold Award, Education/Research Category
2011
Building Design + Construction Magazine
Building Team Awards – Gold Award
2011
ASLA Prairie Gateway
Merit Award
2011
ASLA Central States
Merit Award
2011
AIA Kansas
Merit Award
2011
AIA Committee on the Environment (COTE)
Top Ten Green Projects Award
2011
AIA Central States Region
Honor Award, Excellence in Architecture
2011
AIA Kansas City
Honor Award
2010