Zero Energy Certified

OVERBROOK SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND GREENHOUSE

The Overbrook School for the Blind M. Christine Murphy Horticulture and Education Center is a 2000 sf net-zero-energy greenhouse and classroom. As the LEED Consultant and Building Enclosure Commissioning Agent, Re:Vision brings a holistic approach to the project. The unique requirements of a greenhouse make enclosure commissioning valuable in reducing water and energy demands. To further offset those loads, rainwater harvesting supplies some of the high water demand. A campus solar PV array has earmarked enough production to supply the greenhouse’s annual energy usage.

VITAL STATS

Certification StatusZero Energy Certified
Version of LBC3.1
LocationPhiladelphia, PA, USA
TypologyBuilding
Project Area2,090 SF
Start of OccupancySeptember 2019
Occupancy TypeEducational Greenhouse
Photo Courtesy of Overbrook School for the Blind

PROJECT TEAM

OwnerOverbrook School for the Blind
General ContractorDelran Builders Company, Inc.
ArchitectDaley + Jalboot Architects, Inc.
MEP EngineerSchiller and Hersh Associates, Inc.
Greenhouse Consultant and ContractorRough Brothers, Inc.
Net Zero/LEED Consultants
Re:Vision Architecture

PROJECT OCCUPANCY

It is anticipated that the building will have one full time Horticultural Therapist. Students at the Overbrook School for the Blind range in age from 3-21 years with a wide range of mental and physical abilities. The expectation is to have classes of 5-6 students plus aides rotating to the greenhouse on a pre-determined schedule throughout the day/week. Total daily visitors are expected to average between 40-50 students and staff.

BUILDING SYSTEMS INFORMATION

Wall R value30
Roof R value35
Floor R value25
WindowsFixed and operable aluminum windows

LIGHTING

Four-button digital dimmer switches are provided in Classroom 101. A single pole switch is provided in Mech/Storage 100. Vacancy sensors are provided in the Greenhouse area. All interior and exterior lighting fixtures are LED.

Photo Courtesy of Overbrook School for the Blind

RENEWABLE PRODUCTION SYSTEMS INFORMATION

Panel Array Size50 kW
Panel Output per Capacity Nameplate325 W
Panel Quantity148
Panel TypeSolarEdge
Inverter Quantity2
Ownership DetailsProperty Owner

PERFORMANCE

Actual energy use during performance period25,449 kWh
Actual energy produced during performance period48,967 kWh
Net Energy Use-23,518 kWh
EUI41.55 kBTU/sf/yr
Photo Courtesy of Overbrook School for the Blind
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