GREEN BUILDINGS
How Do We Build a Portsmouth Middle School that’s
Good for the Environment…. and Our Children?
The Portsmouth Middle School Joint Building Committee is committed to ensuring that the
expanded and renovated Portsmouth Middle School incorporates environmentally sustainable features,
such as:
- Using “green” materials in the construction
- Improving the energy efficiency of the 80yearold
building
- Improving water efficiency
- Using renewable energy whenever possible
- Improving the indoor environment for students and teachers, thus increasing opportunities for a
positive learning environment.
To meet these goals, the project follows the guidelines of the Northeast Collaborative for High
Performance Schools, which were developed based on the climate zones and school construction needs of
New Hampshire and other Northeastern states. The PMS project will be the first to follow the updated,
2.0 version of NECHPS,
which is comparable to LEED certification for other buildings.
“High performance schools provide high quality learning environments, conserve natural resources,
consume less energy, are easier to maintain, and provide an enhanced community resource,” according
to NECHPS
New Construction and Major Renovations, Version 2.0, October 2009.
In addition to creating a topnotch
and environmentally sustainable facility, NECHPS
certification will
result in Portsmouth receiving an additional 3% in building aid from the State of New Hampshire.
Connecting the past with the future…
