Corvallis Waldorf School Receives the First SAGE Energy Efficient Modular Classroom in Oregon
CORVALLIS, Oregon (PRWEB) October 13, 2014 -- This fall, many children from the Corvallis Waldorf School will be learning by natural light and breathing fresh clean air – in a new modular classroom installed by Pacific Mobile Structures. The Corvallis Waldorf School is the first school in Oregon to embrace Smart Academic Green Environments (SAGE).
Pacific Mobile Structures President Garth Haakenson along with Corvallis Mayor Julie Manning, Portland State University (PSU) Dean, College of the Arts Robert Bucker, PSU Professors and Architects Sergio Palleroni and Margarette Leite, Blazer Industries owner Marv Shetler and many more joined the Corvallis Waldorf School to help celebrate the grand opening of the first SAGE (Smart Academic Green Environment) classroom installed at the Corvallis Waldorf School in Oregon.
Leite addressed the crowd full of students, parents and community members: “We are so happy to be standing here. This whole project started as a labor of love for us.” Leite went on to share the importance of keeping the conversation of healthier environments in the forefront and how involving community members and professionals contributed to the success of this project. Following Leite’s speech Professor Palleroni added: “This is an amazing place to be able to inaugurate this first Oregon classroom. The principles that drove this was very humanist. Kids should have a classroom that promotes learning.”
Community members and business owners came together and raised the necessary funds for the new classroom. Grandparents of two Corvallis Waldorf School children donated a significant amount of money to help fund the new school. Donations of materials by NW Renewable Energy Corporation and Armstrong World Industries helped reduce the cost further.
“This project was certainly the result of many many complex gifts being played out by many partners and the College of Arts at PSU is just thrilled to be part of the partnership that brought this about,” said Dean Bucker.
At the event Corvallis Mayor Julie Manning spoke to the children of the Corvallis Waldorf School: “You are so very fortunate. No other students in the whole state of Oregon get to learn in a beautiful building like you do here at the Corvallis Waldorf School.”
The SAGE classroom was designed by faculty and students at Portland State University’s School of Architecture with the support of a broad coalition of partners, including Chehalis-based Pacific Mobile Structures, the Portland Chapter of the American Institute of Architects and Blazer Industries, to create a cost-efficient “green” modular classroom.
The SAGE interior features an energy-efficient ERV system, low velocity fans, solar powered sun coolers, BIO Phase Change Material in the walls and continuous dimming luminary lighting. The size dimensions of the building allow for a door threshold that is closer to the ground, reducing the costs associated with building a foundation, stairs and ramps. The building is also LEED ready.
SAGE classrooms, which are 40 to 50 percent more efficient than a standard portable, were honored with a SEED (Social Economic Environmental Design) Award in 2013. More information about Pacific Mobile’s innovative SAGE classrooms is available at http://www.sageclassroom.com.
Amanda Brittcomer, Pacific Mobile Structures, Inc., http://www.pacificmobile.com, +1 (360) 345-1579, [email protected]
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