So "Green" They're Platinum

Photos of Sidwell Friends School in Washington, DC

Back in December we met with officials at Sidwell Friends School in DC. Looking over what was then a huge hole in the ground, they laid out their vision for a new, uber-environmental middle school, a building SO green it could become one of only a handful to win the U.S. Green Building Council's top grade of "platinum." This week, students entered the nearly completed building on time. Reporter Sidsel Overgaard took a tour and has this report.

Front entrance of the new middle school. The old brick building is shown to the right. Cedar panelling on the new portion comes from recycled wine caskets, wood in the walkway was reclaimed from piers in the Baltimore Harbor.

Natural light is maximized throughout the building with interior and exterior light shelves.

Light shelves also lower energy costs by deflecting sunlight in the summer. Electric lights dim automatically when natural light is sufficient. These windowsills are made from recycled school bleachers. The floor is linoleum derived from natural products.

Students will eventually plant this space to create a green roof.

The building will get five percent of its electricity from solar panels.

A weather station monitors conditions inside and outside of the building. Data is fed to the internet where students all over the country can study the building.

Photos by Sidsel Overgaard