Sustainability in sports facilities has been a focal point for many people including myself especially as there is more of an initiative in the 21st century. One such pool facility that has taken sustainability seriously is the Kappen Aquatic Center at the Overbrook School for the Blind (OSB) in Philadelphia, PA. The project’s initial intent was to replace the 102 year old former pool building while being able to serve the 200 visually impaired and handicapped children that attend OSB.
Kappen Aquatic Center is the nations first LEED Platinum Natatorium that received the award by a happy accident more or less. According to Dectron: “Half-way through the project the design team realized their creative green strategy specifications were so effective that enough potential credits had accumulated to qualify for the USGBC highest distinction of LEED Platinum”. OSB worked closely with Dectron, an organization that manufactures dehumidification equipment, for much of the equipment needed when it comes to maintaining temperature of the air and water in the facility. With the implementation of state of the art equipment the Kappen Aquatic is able to save an estimated 43% of energy compared to a conventional natatorium.
Within the LEED scorecard for Kappen Aquatic they where able to achieve overall 52 out of a possible 69 points under the LEED BC+C: New Construction for LEED V2. Within the points the natatorium was able to achieve 12 out of 14 points missing two for Brownfield Redevelopment and Site Development- Protect or Restore Habitat. Water Efficiency is a point of pride for the space as it is for many aquatic facilities and achieved 4 out of 5 points missing a point for Innovative Wastewater Technologies. The most admirable part of this redevelopment was the ability for the facility to achieve 5 out of 5 points for innovation and having a LEED Accredited Professional on staff as well.
One of the main focal points that Overbrook School highlights is the mechanical dehumidification system within the facility. If you’ve ever been to an indoor pool you have been hit by that wave of humidity when you first enter and many conventional dehumidifiers depending on their age are not the most energy efficiency. The dehumidifiers themselves on top of being more energy efficient also provide the facility with 100,000 of condensate to the pools annuals alongside water heating. Water saving is also a focal point for Overbrook and Kappan Aquatic center with the incorporation of a cistern capturing and purifying pool runoff to minimize waste.
Lighting was also a factor taken into account with OSB in not only an energy- efficiency measure but also lead to a collaboration between OSB, Foundation Fighting Blindness and General Electric that resulted in a retro-fit of the Nevil Field house, classrooms and walkways that will save OSB $45,00 over the first decade of the fixtures lives.
Alongside the Kappen Aquatic Center, OSB is leading the way in environmental efforts with the M. Christine Murphy Horticulture Education Center being certified as LEED Gold and is a Certified Net Zero Energy Building. This building is the 2nd Zero Energy project in Pennsylvania and the 14th school building in the world to achieve this status which is a massive accomplishment. One of the most interesting aspects of the M.Christine Murphy building is that the roof is lightly colored to help reduce heat island effect on site and has a rainwater harvesting system that allows them to use around 82% less water than a conventional greenhouse of the same size.
Overbrook School for the Blind is leading the charge when it comes to inclusivity and green initiatives by responsibility reducing their carbon footprint while having programming helping disabled students live their lives to the fullest.