Overview

• Location: Greensburg, KS
• Climate Region: 4B: Mixed - Dry
• Building type(s): K-12 education
• New construction
• 132,000 ft2 (12,300 m2)
• Project scope: 2-story building
• Rural setting
• Anticipated completion date: August 2010
  Groundbreaking occurred October 29, 2008 Construction began November 17, 2008 School started August 19, 2010
• Rating: U.S. Green Building Council LEED for Schools 2.0 (2007)--Level: Platinum
  Rating: Energy Star --Level: 94

On the night of May 4, 2007 an EF5 tornado 1.7 miles wide ravaged Greensburg, Kansas, destroying 95% of the City's homes and businesses. In the wake of the disaster it became apparent that changes would need to occur to sustain the town for future generations. The Greensburg School District selected BNIM Architects to provide comprehensive design services for new school facilities.

Environmental Aspects

The (K-12) school facility is designed to support Greensburg's newly adopted master plan and vision to be a model "eco-community". The school campus is being designed to LEED for Schools Platinum standards. With the advent of the 2010 school year, the campus welcomes students from throughout Kiowa County.

The new Kiowa County Schools facility is aimed at creating a student-focused academic environment that looks to the future of Greensburg, Kansas, and its community-wide commitment to sustainability. The design of the school is indeed a testament to the aspirations and commitment of the students, faculty and the school district leadership.

School leadership and the design/construction team have worked in tandem to generate a design that meets the highest and best value both in the short-term and over the entire life-cycle of the facilities. All efforts have been aimed at ensuring that Kiowa County Schools will become a leader in the state, as well as the region, in the development of environmentally responsible and responsive educational model that others might hope to emulate.

Owner & Occupancy

• Owned and occupied by Kiowa County Schools USD 422, Local government
• Typically occupied by 400 people, 60 hours per person per week; and 50 visitors per week, 2 hours per visitor per week
• Expected Building Service Life: 50 years

Building for growth, the new 120,000 square-foot K-12 school has the capability to hold 375 students. The former school (housed in 18 trailers) educated 200 students. The new facility includes a stadium track, two gyms, cafeteria and several iTV classrooms — an interactive technology technique for teaching multiple classrooms from different schools simultaneously. The Overall School Facilities include Pre-K & Kindergarten, Elementary School, Middle School, High School, Library, Distance Learning Center, Science Labs, Main Gymnasium, Auxiliary Gymnasium, Art Music Wing, Courtyards, Playgrounds (2), Cafeteria & Kitchen, and Football Stadium/Track & Field Facilities

Building Programs

Indoor Spaces:	Classroom (40%), Gymnasium (20%), Circulation (20%), Office (5%), Cafeteria (5%), Dining (5%)
Outdoor Spaces:	Athletic field (40%), Parking (25%), Playground (20%), Wildlife habitat (10%), Garden—productive (5%)

Keywords

Integrated team, Green framework, Green specifications, Transportation benefits, Open space preservation, Indigenous vegetation, Stormwater management, Water harvesting, Efficient fixtures and appliances, Efficient irrigation, Drought-tolerant landscaping, Massing and orientation, Insulation levels, Glazing, Airtightness, Passive solar, HVAC, Lighting control and daylight harvesting, Efficient lighting, On-site renewable electricity, Durability, Salvaged materials, Recycled materials, Local materials, Occupant recycling, Connection to outdoors, Daylighting, Natural ventilation, Noise control, Low-emitting materials

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