Leyva Middle School Administration Building Net Zero Energy and Carbon Neutral

Designed to create a modern, energy-efficient face to an aging campus, the new LeyVa Administration Building is open and inviting. Inspired by the heritage of the Evergreen Community, the building references the high, open volumes of agricultural buildings.

The individual offices and functions are “buildings within a building.” The spaces are filled with natural light and fresh air. Larger than its predecessor, the building is ordered to separate public and student activities, and also creates a more functional teacher work area and lounge. Early in the process, the design team, including Capital, determined it could actually eliminate energy costs and carbon emissions through the use of photovoltaics and other sustainable technologies including high-efficiency lighting, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, energy management system, a CRRC rated cool roof, ultra high performing building envelope, and spectrally selective low-E glazing.

This project was designed toward LEED Gold Certification and is the first Net-Zero Energy and Net-Zero Emissions public school building in California. It will produce up to 108% of its own energy and save the school district more than $9,000 annually. The building, 41% more energy-efficient than Title 24 requirements, maximizes daylighting and used new HVAC technology to reduce power demands.