New High-Performance Roofing at George School Makes the Grade
The newest freestanding academic facility in 33 years at George School in Bucks County, Pa., incorporated many sustainable building elements into its design and construction, starting at the very top with vegetative and metal roofing systems.
The newest freestanding academic facility in 33 years at George School in Bucks County, Pa., incorporated many sustainable building elements into its design and construction, starting at the very top with vegetative and metal roofing systems. The 26,400-square-foot, $12.5-million Learning Commons and Mollie Dodd Anderson Library at the private Quaker boarding and day high school was designed to meet LEED Gold requirements.
The library is comprised of a glass box-like formation connected to two brick structures that match the nearby historic George School Meetinghouse, which was built in 1812. More than 60 percent of the new materials were obtained from regional resources and over 50 percent of the materials utilized for the new library contained recycled content, including the Follansbee TCS II metal roof. Furthermore, the TCS II is 100 percent recyclable.
Approximately 12,000 square feet of terne-coated stainless steel was installed as a double-lock standing-seam roof and an additional 1,500 square feet was used for the fascia and soffits of the roof. The material has reduced life-cycle costs and environmental impact, and it is virtually maintenance free. It resists corrosion and endures harsh weather, selected for building longevity while illustrating George School’s commitment to sustainability.
A vegetative roof was installed in conjunction with the metal roof to provide storm water management and building insulation. The roof absorbs rain and melted slow and releases it slowly back into the stormwater drainage system at a slower rate than a traditional roof. The vegetative roof is made of a several-inch thick layer of fine material similar to lava rock and is planted with 10 different varieties of grass-like vegetation called sedum.
The vegetative roof’s design allows it to insulate the building, reducing the workload on the library’s geothermal heating and cooling system in a way that a normal roof could not. The school maintains the vegetative roof; other than watering, the roof’s maintenance consists of quarterly weeding and biannual light fertilization.
Both roofing systems provide long life expectancies, energy savings and visual appeal. A metal roof can deliver useful service for 50 years or more, while the vegetative roof is expected to last 40 years. The metal roof features an attractive, soft-looking, protective patina finish. Unaffected by heat or UV light, the metal will never need to be painted, according to the manufacturer.
In addition to the library, the George School building includes five classrooms, a learning center, offices, a conference room and an art gallery. Additional green building features include native plant rain gardens, FSC-certified wood, low-VOC paints, carpets and glues, waterless urinals and low-flush toilets.
Roofing: vegetative and metal roofing systems
Size: 26,400 square feet
Completed: September 2009
Architect: Bowie Gridley Architects, Washington, D.C.
General Contractor: W.S. Cumby, Springfield, Pa.
Distributor: North Coast, York, Pa.
Roofing Installer: Kraus Commercial Roofing, Inc., Ottsville, Pa.
The Learning Commons and Mollie Dodd Anderson Library earned LEED Gold certification. Photos courtesy of George School. The terne-coated stainless steel roof system from Follansbee was installed.
The newest freestanding academic facility in 33 years at George School in Bucks County, Pa., incorporated many sustainable building elements into its design and construction, starting at the very top with vegetative and metal roofing systems. The 26,400-square-foot, $12.5-million Learning Commons and Mollie Dodd Anderson Library at the private Quaker boarding and day high school was designed to meet LEED Gold requirements.
The library is comprised of a glass box-like formation connected to two brick structures that match the nearby historic George School Meetinghouse, which was built in 1812. More than 60 percent of the new materials were obtained from regional resources and over 50 percent of the materials utilized for the new library contained recycled content, including the Follansbee TCS II metal roof. Furthermore, the TCS II is 100 percent recyclable.
A vegetative roof was installed in conjunction with the metal roof to provide storm water management and building insulation. The roof absorbs rain and melted slow and releases it slowly back into the stormwater drainage system at a slower rate than a traditional roof. The vegetative roof is made of a several-inch thick layer of fine material similar to lava rock and is planted with 10 different varieties of grass-like vegetation called sedum.
The vegetative roof’s design allows it to insulate the building, reducing the workload on the library’s geothermal heating and cooling system in a way that a normal roof could not. The school maintains the vegetative roof; other than watering, the roof’s maintenance consists of quarterly weeding and biannual light fertilization.
In addition to the library, the George School building includes five classrooms, a learning center, offices, a conference room and an art gallery. Additional green building features include native plant rain gardens, FSC-certified wood, low-VOC paints, carpets and glues, waterless urinals and low-flush toilets.
A vegetative roof was installed in conjunction with the metal roof to provide storm water management and building insulation.
Learning Commons and Mollie Dodd Anderson Library
Location: George School in Bucks County, Pa.Roofing: vegetative and metal roofing systems
Size: 26,400 square feet
Completed: September 2009
Architect: Bowie Gridley Architects, Washington, D.C.
General Contractor: W.S. Cumby, Springfield, Pa.
Distributor: North Coast, York, Pa.
Roofing Installer: Kraus Commercial Roofing, Inc., Ottsville, Pa.
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