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Oct 17
2011
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Salt Lake City's McGillis School at 1300 East and 700 South is now a model for sustainable teaching. As reported by The Salt Lake Tribune over the weekend. completion of the recent addition has resulted in certification for the building as LEED Gold, the first such certification for a school building in the state. McGillis School was once Salt Lake City School District's Douglas School. Built in 1915, the historic school was purchased by the McGillis School from the district in 2001 and subsequently renovated. Utah Heritage Foundation advocated for sale of the building rather than demolition and sale as a vacant parcel of land. It was the first time in decades that the district sold a building. For their efforts to save and rehabilitate Douglas School, Utah Heritage Foundation awarded the McGillis School a Heritage Award in 2004.
The most recent addition of 57,000 square feet was completed this year in a style nearly matching the original understated Collegiate Gothic style of the original building. LEED certification is a result of incorporating sustainable features into the site that reduce its carbon footprint including drought-tolerant landscaping, conservation of existing structures and fabric, incorporation of transportation options such as biking, walking, and mass transit, and recycling materials.
As quoted in the article, sixth grader Luke Chamberlain said that it's important to try to improve the world. "If you don't repair the world then it will just be worse for the people who live after us, and it won't be a very fun place to live." Fortunately, this exemplary line of thinking has been part of this project now for over ten years. Chairman of the US Green Building Council's Utah Chapter, Dave Engel, added, "The daily choices we all make have a lasting impact on the environment as well as the community."
