APS Ernie Pyle Middle School

The Albuquerque Public School (APS) District’s commitment to promote energy and water efficiency and to provide cost-effective, state-of-the-art facilities is evident in the Ernie Pyle Middle School project. Located in the south valley, the project scope is comprised of two buildings, a new 6th Grade two-story classroom building and a one-story Fine Arts Building renovation and addition. The project was registered as a group certification. An outdoor teaching area, photovoltaics and daylighting are a few examples of the project team’s achievement in transforming today’s learning environment into a sustainable, thriving campus. The 6th Grade Classroom building contains 21,610 square feet of space with 16 classrooms. Part of the second floor is raised on pilotis allowing for an outdoor teaching courtyard with concrete bleachers beneath it. This raised building and courtyard layout was driven by the need to connect the activity at the campus basketball courts with the playing field. The Fine Arts Building is located on the northern end of campus. The remodel maintains the existing structural components for 7,265 square feet with 3,170 square feet being added. The building houses four classrooms designated for chorus, drama, music and art. There is a north-facing light monitor located in the corridor used for natural day-light, and the use of solar power is incorporated into the south facing awning. The PV array accounts for 14 percent savings in energy costs annually. Combining these efforts with water efficiency, environmental site concerns and occupant comfort, allowed the project to earn 62 points out of a possible 110 earning LEED Gold certification.