Since 1983, Chartwell School in Seaside, CA, has been helping students with learning differences (primarily dyslexia and ADD) develop skills to learn successfully and return to mainstream education. When Chartwell decided to construct a new school campus, its vision was to create a learning environment where the students’ natural environment was a visible part of their education; where the building would inspire the community about the possibilities of sustainable design. 7group facilitated an integrative process that helped the Chartwell family design their program and align around project performance goals to enmesh setting, curriculum and environment while remediating a former abandoned military base overlooking the Monterey Bay.

Douglas Atkins, executive director of Chartwell, stated, "Our LEED Platinum campus models how improved academic outcomes and responsible resource stewardship build on each other." Chartwell received an impressive 59 of 69 possible points–exceeding the minimum Platinum certification criteria by 7 points. LEED documentation and life cycle analysis modeling was funded by a Kresge Foundation Green Building Planning grant.

The team calculated the project’s environmental impacts using the ATHENA® Impact Estimator for Buildings and explored options to minimize impacts. By replacing a portion of portland cement in the concrete, CO2 emissions were reduced by 70% and a stronger product was attained. Wood use was reduced by over 30% by building on a 24-inch module, including most walls, windows and doors. Tall, north-facing windows provide daylight that improves indoor comfort while virtually eliminating artificial light needs and an extensive measurement and verification system support the building’s net-zero electric goals. Chartwell also received a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Design for Disassembly research grant to develop and implement new building methods to allow for relocation or future construction; the project incorporated the results from an in-depth analysis of construction techniques intended to simplify disassembly of the building elements for reuse at the end of the building’s useful life.