Slate School

Awards

• 2019 CT Building Congress Project Team Award

The Slate School is an independent, nonprofit elementary situated on a 25-acre parcel featuring forest, open meadow lands and organic gardens; the school celebrates nature as a means to observe and play.  Solar orientation, natural ventilation, daylighting & circadian lighting were used to benefit and enhance the health and learning potential of students.

Slate School is a chemical free campus. All building materials were vetted for non-toxicity to the highest standards and mandated in compliance with the International Living Future Institute’s “Red List”. Indoor air quality was maximized through banning formaldehydes, VOCs, chemical flame retardants, and allergens and irritants. All system components are PVC, brass and lead free.

With a focus on energy efficiency and a reduction in the building’s ecological footprint, Passive House construction standards were used in design. High-performance building envelopes were constructed on insulated slabs. Each building contains a dedicated HVAC system operating without use of any fossil fuels, while an Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) constantly monitors CO2 levels. Instead of running constantly, this system delivers the exact amount of outside air it needs. Air handlers and condensing units gauge temperature requirements and vary the amount of refrigerant and electrical capacity based on internal loads. As a teaching tool, all ductwork is exposed including the fabric “air sock”. A water filtration system removes particulates from the water supply.