(H03) Beyond Energy: The Many Social Benefits of LEED Zero Energy Schools in Baltimore

Designing, constructing, and operating a zero energy building is no easy task, especially for an urban school district with a high poverty rate and aging infrastructure. Baltimore City Public School’s goal is to provide world-class schools that can integrate teaching, learning, equity and inclusion into sustainable design of their schools. This session will share how the design and construction of two LEED Platinum®, LEED Zero Energy®, Pre-K through Grade 8 Baltimore City public schools presented an opportunity for STEM learning based on the buildings’ sustainability strategies and community engagement in an under-resourced neighborhood. The panelists will demystify the cost-shifting strategies that make energy-efficient design pay-off in the long term, focusing on zero carbon operation and their lessons learned about LEED Zero certification. Additionally, the moderated discussion session will share how these zero energy prototypes exceed the educational goals of collaborative spaces and community use integration. The schools act as resilience hubs, reducing carbon pollution and providing community services that go beyond the walls of the schools. The expert panel of owner, architect, engineer, and sustainability consultant will highlight anecdotes and staff testimonials about the social impact benefits that have resulted in the two years of operation as zero energy schools. Examples of outreach including Energy Dashboards, 360 Virtual Tours, an animated movie, murals, games and maps, signage, and career-focused resources will be shared. The team will also discuss the future opportunities that these schools offer in serving as sustainable catalysts for the community and City Schools.