South Portland Middle School is both a sustainable new community resource and a dynamic teaching tool
COURTESY OF WBRC
The Mahoney and Memorial Middle Schools in South Portland, Maine served their community well for 100 and 56 years, respectively. But times change, and so do the needs of students. Recognizing the limitations of aging facilities, the South Portland School Department decided their best course of action was to consolidate the two middle schools. With that consolidation, fifth graders were moved to the new middle school, freeing up space for pre-kindergarten programs at each of the city’s five elementary schools.
“The School Department had strong aspirations for the inclusion of sustainable features in the new school,” says Mike Johanning, WBRC Principal, Education Studio Director, and Project Architect. “From inception to completion, the building seamlessly integrates environmental awareness and incorporates sustainable technologies.”
One of the first sustainable design decisions was to preserve as much green space as possible by creating a four-story building. The design leverages the site’s natural terrain and the sun’s path through the day. The School Department opted for a geothermal system to both heat and cool the building, keeping occupants comfortable year-round. A solar thermal wall preheats the make-up air in winter, helping to reduce the annual heat load. Solar panels collect solar energy to provide the building with electricity, and act as window shades for the south-facing glass in the summer. To conserve water, filtered rainwater collected from the roof helps bolster the multi-purpose field’s irrigation system.
In the art and STEM classrooms, the building’s structure and mechanical systems are clearly visible and expressed, making them into a teaching tool. Andy Rudnicki, the lead Mechanical Engineer for the project, enjoyed helping create each room’s color-coded piping and ductwork.
“Teachers can identify different systems by their colors and point out the components that make the building function,” he says. The fire sprinkler piping is painted red. Natural gas piping is yellow, supply and return air ducts are orange and blue, and exhaust ducts are purple. “The acoustic ceiling decks and the structural beams are also visible, putting more engineering on display.”
Daylighting is crucially important to student learning and well-being. Natural light is available throughout the building, thanks to expansive windows and the strategic use of transoms and solar tubes.
“Designing eco-friendly schools encourages students to be aware of global challenges like climate change,” Johanning says. “Seeing sustainable elements in action fosters environmental awareness and inspires students to work towards a healthier and more sustainable future.”
South Portland Superintendent Tim Matheney has received tremendously positive feedback from teachers, students, and the community on the new school. “This is an amazing facility,” he says. “The design provides for state-of-the-art 21st century learning and sustainability. Our community will take great pride in the middle school for generations to come.”
South Portland Middle School was awarded the Honor Award for Integration of Sustainable Features by the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) of Maine.
