Del Sur Welcomes ‘Smart’ New High School To Area

Nearly completed campus to be ready for students in August
 
July 9, 2009 - PRLog -- Del Sur (www.DelSurLiving.com), a north San Diego community celebrated for its “smart growth” principles and environmental consciousness, is welcoming a similarly “smart” high school to the area. Featuring superior energy efficiencies, Del Norte High School opens in the fall, serving in 2009/2010 freshmen and sophomores living in Del Sur, 4S Ranch and surrounding neighborhoods. The high school is the fifth and last comprehensive high school to be opened in the Poway Unified School District.

“We are excited to embrace a neighborhood high school, especially one of this caliber,” said Fred Maas, president and CEO of Black Mountain Ranch LLC, developer of Del Sur. “Del Norte High School is a complement to Del Sur, as well as to our high-tech elementary school, also designed by NTD Architecture.”

Located on 62 acres on the north-eastern border of Del Sur, the $102.5 million Del Norte High School is a lesson in sustainable design. With capacity for 2,150 students and 77 teaching stations, the 217,097-square-foot campus exceeds state mandated energy efficiency standards by 25 percent. In addition to NTD Architecture, the Del Norte High School project team includes: BDS Engineering (civil engineer), KNA Consulting Engineers (structural engineer), Johnson Consulting Engineers (electrical engineer), HVAC Engineering, Inc. (mechanical engineer), Nowell & Associates (landscape architects), Veneklasen and Associates (acoustical engineers) and Aquatic Design Group (aquatic consultant).

According to the architects, Del Norte High School energy efficiency is achieved through a well insulated building envelope, a sophisticated central chiller plant, a digital energy management system that remotely monitors energy performance of lighting and mechanical systems, and through the generation of hot water for the swimming pool with rooftop solar panels.

A majority of the standard classrooms have natural day-lighting, and through the use of light shelves and small tubular skylights, levels of artificial lighting required during various times of the day are reduced.

In addition, the district is participating in SDG&E incentive programs, Savings by Design and Sustainable Communities Program, which offer monetary rewards to the district for high energy efficiency.

The district is expected to realize a significant savings in its annual water consumption through the installation of synthetic turf football field, a high efficiency irrigation system, the use of reclaimed water, and employing a localized weather-based remote monitoring and controller system. Approximately 42 percent of the site remains permeable to rainfall, thereby reducing storm water runoff. The storm water runoff will be treated via a bioswale system that is an integral part of the on-site runoff treatment system.

Other sustainable features include the recycling of construction waste materials, which diverted 4.6 million pounds of material from the county landfill, a recycling program for the school itself once it opens; the reduction in heat islands through the installation of approved Energy Star compliant “Cool Roofs” with a high reflectance rating; and the use of building material containing recycled content such as carpet, insulation, and acoustical ceilings.

Del Sur has a strong environmental ethic, which is evident throughout its residential neighborhoods, within its construction practices and in its recreational amenities, including eight proposed private parks and 18 miles of hiking trails spread out over 1,800 acres of dedicated open space.  All of the parks are designed to be energy efficient, with solar-heated pools, and attractive landscaping featuring drought-resistant plantings that use only reclaimed water.  Cost savings from these conservation efforts are passed along to residents through more amenities.  The pedestrian-friendly community of Del Sur will have an eventual 2,500 homes.

Recognized by local civic, planning and environmental groups for its environmentally conscious design and “smart growth” principles, Del Sur is now open for model home tours. For more information on new home neighborhoods in Del Sur, stop by The Ranch House, Del Sur’s community information center and a Platinum LEED-certified building, according to the U.S. Green Building Council. Take SR-56 to Camino Del Sur and head north for approximately 4.5 miles and follow the signs to the Ranch House. The Ranch House is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Call 858-481-4200 or click onto www.DelSurLiving.com to learn more about Del Sur.

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Page Updated Last on: Jul 09, 2009
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