Robert H. Jamison School

Cleveland, OH 44128

Before constructing Robert H. Jamison School, owner Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) mandated that the next school construction project in Cleveland be designed to achieve superior energy performance and overall sustainability goals. To design the 63,000-square-foot building in Cleveland, OH, CMSD chose to work with Richard L. Bowen & Associates (RLB+A) because the architect strives to make energy efficiency and sustainability integral to the design process. RLB+A actively seeks to convey that sustainable design helps lower energy demand and prevent greenhouse gas emissions.

The architect and the owner both wanted to verify that they were developing an environmentally responsible design. To this end, RLB+A and CMSD chose to use EPA's Target Finder to establish and assess energy performance goals, and convey the expected energy use and environmental footprint of their project. With a rating of 83 out of 100 in the tool, Robert H. Jamison School is expected to use 30 percent less energy than an average, similar building.

The project also helps advance energy efficiency and sustainability efforts in the City of Cleveland. School district officials hope that by demonstrating the benefits of environmentally friendly design to the community that utilizes the city's school buildings, their sustainability efforts will be a model for future projects in the area.

Features that make Robert H. Jamison School highly energy efficient include north or south facing windows in a majority of the classrooms, which will better control heat gain and glare. All classrooms also have operable blinds and windows, and all lighting and heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are automated to lessen use when the building is unoccupied.