Abraham Joshua Heschel School achieves LEED Gold

Atelier Ten propels the Abraham Joshua Heschel School to attain LEED Gold certification and become an environmentally exemplar day school in New York City. The new 142,000 square foot facility combines the academy and middle school, previously spread throughout New York City, into one building adjacent to the Heschel High School. Designed by Gruzen Samton Architects, Atelier Ten collaborated with the design team to employ sustainable design strategies that would make the Heschel School a high-performance building while maintaining the specific program requirements of a New York City school. Special attention was given to indoor environmental quality through daylighting, proper ventilation, noise reduction and low-VOC materials.

The project design incorporates optimally sized windows that are large enough to provide daylight to the perimeter spaces and a comfortable visual environment, but not too large that cooling and heating energy increases. The Heschel School roof has vegetated areas and highly reflective pavers that will help reduce heat island effect and energy loss through the roof. The vegetated areas will minimize stormwater run-off while providing a pleasant environment for activities and functions.

Atelier Ten provided full service Environmental Design Consulting, Energy Analysis, and LEED Program Administration. Through inclusive LEED Program Administration and close collaboration with the Heschel School and the design team, Atelier Ten pushed the project to meet its target of LEED Gold. Atelier Ten’s project team included Director Nico Kienzl and Senior Environmental Designer Bret Mantyk.