District of Columbia Public Schools
Duke Ellington School of the Arts
Mechanical & Electrical
Energy & Utilities
Washington, D.C.
2018
$178 million
Cox Graae + Spack Architects
GCS | SIGAL AMT LLC
RESTL Designers
286,000 square feet
Quote
Name
Award-Winning, Efficient K-12 Design in the Capital City
We designed a water-source heat recovery variable refrigerant flow (VRF) system that utilizes incremental room units with a combination of a fan and a heating and cooling coil and high-efficiency cooling towers with ultra-low sound packages. The system maximizes heat recovery and energy efficiency.
Displacement ventilation design in the main performing theatre, careful zoning, and quality envelope design further enhance the mechanical systems to accelerate the energy savings, and the chosen system achieves the low noise operational levels necessary for a performing arts venue.
A solar thermal water heating system provides hot water to the building. The system creates a minimum of 209 MBTU, with a 50-gallon storage tank and a 300-gallon backup tank. A rainwater reclamation system supplies water for water closets, urinals, irrigation, and the mechanical system’s water make-up. The project also includes renewable energy through roof-mounted photovoltaic panels.