DLA Architects, Ltd.’s design receives prestigious LEED Gold award

Sept. 15, 2010 - PRLog -- The United States Green Building Council awarded a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification for the design of the Ridgewood High School gymnasium addition in Norridge, by DLA Architects Ltd.

Such ranking means the gymnasium provides an outstanding healthy indoor environment for student learning while at the same time reflects energy conscious design.

“DLA Architects is proud of our contribution to the on-going educational and architectural legacy of Ridgewood High School,” said Bruce Dahlquist, AIA, LEED-AP, president, DLA Architects Ltd. “The Gold certification is the icing on the cake.”

Architects from DLA Architects Ltd. began the design for the gymnasium addition in 2008.

Located on a tight urban site, the addition was constructed on a remediated brownfield, reclaiming the land for a healthy and useful purpose. Spaces within the addition are designed to meet educational needs and encourage community connectivity.

The school is in a transitional area between a residential neighborhood and a commercial area providing the opportunity for alternative transportation methods.

Its convenient location allows students to walk to school or ride bikes, with bike racks, showers, and changing rooms available. In addition, it’s along a major artery with multiple bus lines nearby.

The vegetated green roof serves as an outdoor eco-classroom. It was designed to absorb rainfall which reduces detention requirements, lessen the heat island effect, diminish deflection and vibration from the running track and reduce the infiltration of airport noise and vibration.

Indoor air quality was a primary concern for the learning environment. Supporting this is building commissioning, the design of an energy efficient building envelope and mechanical and electrical systems, the use of carbon dioxide monitors, as well as the reduction of CFC’s in the equipment.

Daylighting, as well as the selection of light fixtures, controls, occupancy sensors, reduces electrical consumption. During construction, pollution was controlled and an indoor air quality management plan was implemented.

The concept of an active and engaged life was a central theme to the program for the addition. The design team met the challenge by creating a space that is about connecting student life with fitness and demonstrating visually that life needn’t be compartmentalized.

Upon entering the gym, the eye is drawn up to the highly reflective ceiling, punctuated by colorful and dynamic truss style light fixtures. Adding to the rhythm of visual activity is a running track suspended from the joist structure above. The track itself opens to a cardio-fitness area featuring a curtain wall that draws natural light deep into the space and connects the interior fitness areas to the synthetic turf football field and outdoor running track.

For more information about DLA Architects, Ltd., call 630-230-0420 or visit online at http://www.dla-ltd.com.

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DLA Architects is a full service architectural firm specializing in educational, medical, recreational, office/commercial, specialty office, and theater design.