Michael E. Capuano Early Childhood Center
(Capuano Early Childhood Center)

Overview

• Location: Somerville, MA
• Building type(s): Assembly, K-12 education, Park
• New construction
• 80,200 ft2 (7,450 m2)
• Project scope: 2-story building
• Urban setting
• Completed June 2003
  This project met its targeted completion date of June 2003. Capuano Early Childhood Center opened for the school year beginning in Fall 2003.

Designed for 560 students, this two-story school for children from pre-kindergarten through first grade has a total floor area of 80,200 square feet and is situated in Somerville, one of the densest cities in New England. Though high-performance design was initially not a major priority for the city, the final project integrates many energy efficiency mechanisms with renewable energy and other green features. This project has won several awards.

Environmental Aspects

The Michael E. Capuano Early Childhood Center uses skylights, clerestory windows, light shelves, site selection, and classroom design to create extensive daylighting. It has a 35 kW rooftop photovoltaic system. Actual natural gas use is 27.2 percent below code requirements and 2.7 percent below what the building was expected to use as designed. Water efficiency measures include waterless urinals, metered sink faucets set to shut off after 7 seconds, and a drip irrigation system with rain and soil moisture sensors. During construction 11,160 tons of soils contaminated with PCBs, mercury, and lead were remediated.

Owner & Occupancy

• Owned by Somerville Public Schools
• Typically occupied by 445 people, 32 hours per person per week; and 25 visitors per week, 2 hours per visitor per week

The student population in 2004-2005 is 370, with a maximum student capacity of 560. Approximately 75 adults work in the school full-time.

Building Programs

Indoor Spaces:	Classroom, Gymnasium, Conference, Lobby/reception, Public assembly, Electrical systems, Cafeteria, Other, Medical treatment, Circulation, Dining, Office, Child care, Restrooms, Mechanical systems
Outdoor Spaces:	Pedestrian/non-motorized vehicle path, Playground, Parking, Athletic field, Garden—productive, Drives/roadway

Keywords

Green specifications, Commissioning, Operations and maintenance, Efficient fixtures and appliances, Efficient irrigation, Massing and orientation, Glazing, Lighting control and daylight harvesting, Efficient lighting, On-site renewable electricity, Salvaged materials, Recycled materials, Certified wood, Daylighting, Low-emitting materials

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