IBG SCHOOL

IBG SCHOOL is located in the urban core of Beijing, which was reinforced and renovated from abandoned buildings. Using LEED to guide the process from start to finish, the project team employed a variety of strategies to reduce energy and water use, create a healthy outdoor and indoor environment, rationalize resource demand, and implement innovative strategies. IBG SCHOOL is an international bilingual kindergarten. It is 2,750 square meters; the main structure of three original buildings was reserved and connected as a whole building by outdoor corridor after the redesign. This project preserves the original building to the greatest extent, which achieves circulation of resources and sustainable development. The project has maximized restoration of habitat based on limited project site conditions. The original hardened pavement area in the center of the project site has been restored to the natural landscape with the existing trees remaining. This project site has been mostly covered by green plants except for building footprints. Moreover, a green roof has been built on the accessible roof to reduce heat island effect more effectively. These greening strategies onsite provide a chance for children to get in touch with the natural environment, and to conduct activities everyday. The design of an outdoor corridor on each floor is a great breakthrough compared with the standard design practice; it becomes the access point from each classroom to the outdoor environment. In addition, it is paved in natural wood texture board to increases the natural aesthetic. In order to ensure a low-emission indoor environment, full solid wood furniture and flooring were used for interior decoration, and interior paints and adhesives used in this project are GREENGUARD Gold Certification products. In addition, PM2.5 filters and activated carbon filters are installed in every ventilation unit, with a great ventilation rate. Sensors are installed in each classroom to monitor indoor air quality in real time. Water saving on this project was designed for both indoor and outdoor uses. Fixtures and fittings installed in this project are WaterSense labeled, which achieves 39.26% water use reduction over baseline. Rainwater runoff is also collected onsite and used for landscape irrigation. The application of energy-saving VRV units, high efficiency hot water heaters, LED lighting, and triplex Low-E hollow glassing windows on this project achieves 21% of energy reduction over baseline.