Desert Edge High School

Goodyear, Arizona

Desert Edge High School is the first public school building to earn Silver certification in Arizona. The 90,620 SF building is 28% more energy efficient than a standard design, saving the school district about $58,000 annually in energy costs. The project design achieves 38% potable water savings and 84% of construction waste was diverted from the landfill. Over a twenty year period the district will save over $1,235,000 in tax dollars on heating, cooling and water costs alone due to the high-performance building design. In addition, the Desert Edge High School expansion project was completed four weeks ahead of schedule and $450,000 under budget. It has been the winner of Valley Forward’s 26th Annual Environmental Excellence Award and Southwest Contractor’s Best of 2006 Arizona award for “Green Building: Public Projects.”

Sustainable Strategies

• Lobby features an interactive touch-screen to teach visitors about the sustainable features of the facility

• Natural lighting with daylight sensors and controls

• Waterless urinals, low-flow plumbing fixtures and hand wash stations

• Low VOC adhesives, sealants, paints and coatings used inside the building

• Green cleaning program implemented

• Landscape design uses native and droughttolerant plantings which do not require a permanent irrigation system

Project Results

• LEED for New Construction SILVER level achieved

• 28% energy cost savings above ASHRAE 90.1-1999 energy standard

• 88% savings of potable water use for irrigation

• 38% savings of potable water for domestic uses

• 84% of construction waste was diverted from the landfill