Forest Edge Elementary School
Wisconsin’s first net zero school connects students to the building’s sustainable features and is a beacon of pride for its community.
Need
A new K-6 school to house a growing student population and a building that would produce as much energy as it consumed
Solution
An innovative building with flexible learning spaces, ample daylight, and state-of-the-art sustainable infrastructure
Result
A verified net positive energy building that leverages its sustainable features as teaching tools
Awards
- AIA Wisconsin Design Awards - Honor Award
- The Daily Reporter Top Project Award
- Learning By Design Outstanding Project
- U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School
Fact Sheet
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Location
Fitchburg, WISize
126,600 sq ftConstruction Cost
$35,000,000Client Type
Net Zero Energy
Making public architecture more sustainable
When an experienced architecture firm like Bray connects with a passionate community, an ambitious project like Forest Edge is possible – even in the public sector.
Design Features
Connecting learning, sustainability, and community
Forest Edge is a true 21st-century learning environment. Its design features include:
- Resource areas that allow teachers to extend classrooms
- Lightweight and portable furniture
- Ample windows and three courtyards to provide natural light
- A visible main entrance and extended pedestrian plaza
- Environmental branding that highlights natural energy resources
- Interactive digital screens for students to monitor the building’s energy performance
Sustainable Features
An investment that pays dividends for decades
Forest Edge is the largest net zero verified education building in the United States, at the time of verification. We got there with the help of:
- 90 geothermal wells connected to electric water-source heat pumps, which moderate the building’s temperature and reduce the electrical demand from its heating and cooling systems
- An array of 1,704 solar panels on the building’s roof, which produces 646 kW of electricity
- A state-of-the art 125 kW battery for storing excess energy produced by the solar panels that can be released during high-demand times or sold back to the utility company
- Elimination of natural gas service on the building’s site
Testimonial
Bray’s response to everything was, ‘Let’s give it a try. Let’s see how it would work.’ Their feedback never felt like, ‘Oh, we’re the experts, this is how you do it.’ It was truly collaborative, and a really nice partnership.
Principal, Forest Edge Elementary School
