Eco Factor: Energy-conserving building harvests rainwater.
The Springfield Public School District’s new Thurston Elementary School replaces an existing school on the same site with a building that reflects the surrounding McKenzie River Valley. The new sustainable building aims to promote environmental understanding at a young age.
To encourage green living and environmental conservation, the building harvests rainwater from its roof, which is then put on display by directing flow into open concrete runnels that distribute into landscaped bio-filtration cells. The school also features large wood-framed glass walls on each side that allow the interiors to be naturally lit to conserve energy.
