IslandWood: Occupant Comfort and Environmental Quality
Sponsor: Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, 2007 – 2008
Team: Project Investigator Alison Kwok with Dianne Ahmann, Sam Jensen Augustine, Truc Bui, Serena Coltrane Briscoe, E.B. Meier, Mika Sundberg, Matthew Travis and SBSE faculty Walter Grondzik, Ball State University, Bruce Haglund, University of Idaho, Michael Zaretsky, University of Cincinnati; Richard Franko, Mithun Architects, Cathy Turner, New Buildings Institute.
IslandWood School, located on Bainbridge Island, Washington, served as the venue for the Society of Building Science Educators (SBSE) curriculum retreat in June 2007. This innovative learning center brings 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students from the Seattle region to participate in a 4-day overnight program to integrate scientific inquiry, technology, and the arts, while promoting an understanding of the environment and ecology. Designed by the Seattle firm Mithūn Architects, IslandWood is among the greenest buildings in the Northwest and the first project in the state of Washington to receive a Gold LEEDTM rating. We studied occupant comfort (visitors and staff) and environmental qualities of the classrooms and office spaces. SBSEers completed a survey as they participated in retreat activities in the learning studios; staff completed the same survey in the office space. Case study results show that occupants are comfortable and have a high degree of control over the environmental conditions.