Welcome to the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of IFMA

Radnor Middle School Tour

By Bonnie Paul
Special to IFMAPhilly online

Leo Bernabei, director of operations for Radnor School District, and Darin Jellison, AIA, of Blackney Hayes Architects, welcomed the GPC of IFMA to the Radnor Middle School inside tour on May 6, 2009. Bernabei and Jellison not only presented exciting ideas for the middle school but it was clear that their ethusaism and determination prevailed and had benefitted the school in many ways.

When Bernabei came to Radnor School District in 1997, the Middle School needed to be rebuilt. Encouraged by the supportive community willing to spend the money necessary, he hired Blackney Hayes Architects and together they embarked on a project to build a Middle School with a "green" environment.

The team succeeded. The Radnor Middle School was created, designed and built with concerned community involvement and the oversight to be a high efficiency building free of toxic materials.

Although upfront costs are often a concern in building a "green" structure, Bernabei was proactive in the rapid recapture of the costs in the initial building project so that the savings in the short term more than justify the initial heightened monies. The upfront costs were @ $140/sq.ft. Any upfront costs will be recaptured within just a few years and then the school will benefit by significantly reduced energy costs.

Radnor Middle School has a green no-maintenance vegetated roof that reduces energy costs significantly. They installed light sensors in every room, utilized VOC paints, geo-thermal heat pumps, formaldehyde-free millwork throughout, recycled materials when possible including, but not limited to, recycled glass tiled floors and carpets made of environmentally-friendly recycled materials. Indoor air quality management control systems were put into operation. Lighting fixtures utilize T5 direct/indirect lighting throughout the building. The maintenance crew uses only environmentally friendly and approved materials in maintaining the cleanliness of the school. The entire building was laid out with consideration to accessing available ambient light. Each classroom has an HVAC system located in a padded, closeted room to cut down on noise interference and optimize heating and cooling efficiency.

The result of these measures has resulted in reduced student and staff absenteeism, elimination of staff complaints regarding air quality, energy savings, reduced environmental impact, improved indoor environment and the direct benefits of teaching the students about how to live in a greener world.

Following the tour of the school, our attendees walked a short distance to the Wayne Hotel/Restaurant Taquet to partake in a very upscale networking environment where the greens were fresh and delectable.