Construction begins on Prototype Schools

APS Prototype Elementary School progress photo's. The top photo is of the large footing between the two story classroom wign and the upper level. That's a big a footing.

Construction Progress at V. Sue Cleveland High School

Construction is proceeding at break-neck speed. When completed the new V. Sue Cleveland High School in Rio Rancho will be the largest LEED certified project of it's kind in the State of New Mexico. The new High School scheduled for completion in the fall of 2009 will accomadate 2350 students in a 406,000 S.F. facility on a 140 Acre site complete with track and field athletic facilities.

Sustainable Design and LEED

Designed for LEED Silver Certification, all learning environments enjoy natural daylighting through north/south floor to ceiling windows, and extensive interior glass partitioning. An east-west orientation minimizes the need for excessive site cut and fill. Other sustainable features include landscapeand designto reduce "heat islands", rainwater collection, improved indoor air quality, building materials contain a large recycled content, geothermal wells, heat recovery, high performance glazing and solar shading devices.

Carbon Neutral Modeling

Van H Gilbert Architect PC continues to be on the forefront of sustainable design by accepting and committing to designing carbon-neutral buildings today, not 25-30 years from now. Van H Gilbert Architect PC’s commitment is evidenced by its development and use of 3-D Building Information Modeling (BIM) that is used in conjunction with Green Building Software. Green Building Software allows Van H Gilbert Architect PC to further enhance the integrated design process by performing in-house energy modeling on a real time design basis. Green Building Software provides whole building energy analysis including the building carbon footprint analysis.