EI Associates, an architectural firm in Harrisburg, proudly announces that the Carlisle Area School District’s Wilson Middle School has achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Platinum Certification. This is the first middle school in Pennsylvania to receive LEED® Platinum certification; only three schools in Pennsylvania have been awarded this level of certification, of which two were designed by EI Associates.

The Carlisle Area School District decided to make a sustainable commitment to renovating their Wilson Middle School. Along with a multitude of sustainable and energy-efficiency upgrades, the 97,725-square-foot building received nearly 23,000-s.f. of classroom and administration additions, energy upgrades and site reconfiguration. The renovated building was designed to use an estimated 56 percent less energy per square foot per year than the existing, smaller building. The improved design provides each grade with its own separate corridor, organized around a central common area between two teaming areas. Each area is defined by a new daylight monitor. These monitors, along with tubular skylights, ensure that each classroom has natural light to provide better learning environments. Daylighting and occupancy-sensor lighting fixtures throughout the buildings also help reduce the need for artificial lighting.

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and is a green building certification program used worldwide. The program uses a set of rating systems for the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of green buildings aimed at helping building owners and operators be environmentally responsible and use resources efficiently. The Wilson Middle School LEED® rating reflects 80 documented and approved points, which correspond to the certification level Platinum under the LEED® 2009 for LEED® Schools. The Wilson Middle School is an example of sustainable design and demonstrates leadership in creating a positive impact in their community.