The Londonderry School in Harrisburg, recently opened its doors at its new facility ushering in a new era of environmentally friendly considerations in school design.

Established in 1971, the school occupied leased space for classes extending from preschool through eighth grade. As the population grew and classroom space became tighter, school board members and staff began plans to construct a new building.

Realizing that the construction of a new facility would provide the opportunity to integrate environmental consciousness and affordability in design, the school officials involved with the project systematically studied available options. The result is, in their own words, "a model to challenge and revolutionize traditional thinking in school construction."

After careful analysis, construction materials and methods were selected to help reduce operating costs for energy consumption. This innovative approach qualified the school as a "green" building with the U.S. Green Building Council, and secured a silver rating from the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).

LEED is a national standard for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings including educational facilities. Based on well-founded scientific standards, LEED emphasizes state of the art strategies for sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials and indoor environment quality.

One of the major innovations was the use of Carlisle SynTec Incorporated's Sure-Weld® TPO Mechanically-Fastened Roofing System. The white, 60-mil Sure-Weld membrane was installed over 8,555 square feet of the building's roof offering Londonderry School a twofold benefit: exterior solar and heat reflection which helps reduce HVAC energy consumption, and water collection for sanitary facilities.

Rainwater from the sloped roof is collected in a cistern and used to flush toilets in the school's lavatories, and to provide water for the heating system. The roof was installed by Progressive Services, Inc., of Dover, Pennsylvania, a Carlisle authorized applicator.

Larry Toot, president of Progressive Services, Inc., was pleased with the opportunity to work on the project. "The Londonderry School was the first LEED project we were involved in. Since the entire program was designed around the "green building" concept, we were able to take advantage of Carlisle's total roof system package that meets ENERGY STAR® guidelines and includes membrane and insulation, as well as a total system warranty."

In addition to the white TPO membrane and its unique application for recycling runoff water, the building's insulation values are very high, offering additional energy savings benefits to the school. Toot added, "We used two layers of four-inch Polyiso, throughout. And, since everything is manufactured by Carlisle, I am only dealing with one, Carlisle-appointed representative. Also, the fifteen-year total system warranty gives everyone peace of mind."

Designed by the architectural firm of Murray Associates, Inc., of Harrisburg (717-234-2581), and erected under the general supervision of the contracting firm of A.P. Williams, Inc., also of Harrisburg (717-540-3902), the Londonderry School was given a $500,000 loan by the Sustainable Energy Fund that led an area bank to finance the remainder of the $3 million project.

The masonry exterior, accented by clerestory windows and large amounts of energy efficient glazing throughout, provides a splendid balance to the wooded pastoral setting just minutes from Pennsylvania's state capital.

With a "green" building, a silver rating and a white, ENERGY STAR roof, Londonderry School and Carlisle set a good example of how environmentally friendly products can be integrated into design plans to reduce energy consumption and costs.

Progressive Services, Inc., was established in 1984 as a commercial roofing and sheet metal company. Located in Dover, Pennsylvania, its founders brought together more than 65 years of combined experience in the roofing industry and continue to provide the company's leadership today.

Carlisle SynTec Incorporated, headquartered in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, has been manufacturing single-ply membrane roofing systems for more than 40 years. To date, 10 billion square feet of Carlisle roofing membrane has been produced. Carlisle is a business segment of Carlisle Companies and has manufacturing facilities in Carlisle, Greenville, Illinois and Senatobia, Mississippi. For more information contact Melissa Mulligan at Carlisle SynTec Incorporated - 1.800.4-SYNTEC.

1/28/2005