Situated north of San Francisco, Calif., tucked in the hills of Marin County, is a platinum oasis of greenery. In line to receive LEED® Platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, the Branson School in Ross, Calif., recently completed construction on a $13 million campus upgrade making them the first education site on track to receive such recognition since the category was created in 2007. Among the impressive features incorporated into this multi-facility project are two 10-foot diameter Powerfoil® fans from Big Ass Fans®, offering ultra-efficient, natural, sustainable ventilation, allowing Branson to forego air conditioning altogether.
Big Ass Fans helps secure LEED points for minimum energy performance, optimize energy performance, minimum IA performance, increased ventilation, thermal comfort and innovation in design. Numerous other LEED qualifying attributes include underground and surface rainwater collection systems, fiber-optic cables, seismic upgrades, low-flow plumbing fixtures, waterless urinals, native landscaping, a living roof and new pavement on campus roads widened for increased safety.
One of the coolest features, aside from the fans of course, is the touch-screen technology installed in the foyer of the science building, allowing students to see streaming data on energy and water use around campus, as well as the amount of power being sent back to the statewide grid. The 25 member student Environmental Action Committee was privy to all building plans from the beginning paving the way for an impressive and steadfast future in environmental stewardship.