High Construction helped Lancaster Mennonite School create an academic facility incorporating extensive sustainable features and in the process earned a General Contractor Sustainable Design Award. In addition to minimizing the impact of the building on the environment, the sustainability-driven elements also contribute to the comfort and health of the building occupants and serve as learning tools for students. The facility’s green features include a rain garden, a GreenGrid roof garden system, generous amounts of natural light, geothermal heating and cooling, radiant in-floor heat, heat-reflective and energy efficient White TPO (Thermoplastic Polyolefin) roof, low-consumption urinals and toilets with sensor-operated flushometers, recycled floor tiles that do not require waxing, and use of native species in landscaping.

The 45,000-square-foot structure includes 15 new classrooms for science, math, business, and computer lab; a welcome center; and various community areas.

The project was recognized with the General Contractor Sustainable Design Award from the Associated Builders and Contractors’ Keystone Chapter and an Award of Merit from Mid-Atlantic Construction. Architect: Cornerstone Design-Architects.

Pictured: Lancaster Mennonite School’s award-winning Rutt Academic Center in Lancaster, Pa. High Construction provided preconstruction and construction management services for this model of sustainability.