A.J. Whittenberg Elementary Receives Award
The A.J. Whittenberg Elementary School of Engineering has received the 2014 Green School Award from the South Carolina Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The project, designed by Craig Gaulden Davis, is unique in many ways. It is the first school in the Upstate of South Carolina to receive a LEED for Schools Silver rating and it is the first engineering focused elementary school in the state. The energy efficient facility utilizes low flow plumbing fixtures with sensor and waterless urinals to reduce water consumption. Special attention was given to classroom acoustics and indoor environmental quality. Over ninety percent of the spaces have views to the exterior and the classrooms were designed for maximum daylighting.
The partnership with the Salvation Army saved the school district financial resources and provides valuable opportunities for both students and local residents. The site development costs were shared to save construction dollars. The school's media center and classrooms were designed to allow access and use by the Kroc Center. Likewise, the students utilize the Kroc Center's aquatic center to take swimming lessons and their tennis facility for tennis lessons as part of their physical education requirement.
In 2012, the school received recognition for outstanding design by the South Carolina Chapter of the Council of Educational Facility Planners International (CEFPI).