Milton Magazine - Milton Academy

Scientific inquiry that is specialized, orindependent, or that needs to continue forlonger periods of time, takes place in fourinquiry labs. Larger than the classroomlabs, the inquiry labs are on the first floor,open and beckoning to all who pass. ThePritzker Science Center locates the “coolstuff,” the excitement of pursuing an idea,in the center of activity.To provide ultimate flexibility and preparefor potential new teaching strategies, severalof the inquiry labs and the classroomlabs are separated from one another by“garage door” type partitions. Those laboratoriescan double in size, allowing forvariable uses of the space.Solid strategies for sustainabilityDesigned to meet silver LEEDspecifi cations• The Pritzker Science Center uses naturallight extensively; sensors as well asmanual controls regulate light for peakefficiency.• Continuous filtration of roof water gathers,recharges and disperses rainwater toirrigate landscaping; a dry-grass swale isa major landscape design element framingthe entrance and lining the building’seast side.• The roof has two sections: a green roofon the overhang of the stepped, westside of the building at the base of thesecond floor. The top of the buildinguses highly reflective TPO shingles;TPO is a chemical alloy made withrecycled materials, and the shingles are100% chemically recyclable.• Demonstration solar hot water and photovoltaicpanels produce energy for thebuilding; their number and capacity canincrease if the technology proves itselfeffective and efficient in this building.• The building’s “Dashboard” demonstratesreal-time energy use and savingssimultaneously.• Use of recycled and renewable materialsis maximized throughout, and use oflocal materials is extensive.• Green landscape design makes use ofa dry-grass swale and subgrade stormwater retention tank. The grasses andother native plantings in the swale survivewith this recycled rainwater, giveyear-round color, and require minimalmaintenance. Reused bluestone paverswill be featured at the front entrywayand east side gathering space; NewHampshire granite will be used forcurbs and benches. The landscapedesign features native plantings and preservesmany existing trees. An existingstone wall will be reused along the westface of the building.Multiple workshops with faculty yielded many gains for the design. Facultywere sure that they wanted the classroom work clearly visible through the glasswalls to any or all in the building. A central faculty room, large enough for conversationand collaboration among all the science faculty, has always been acrucial element for them. Locating the faculty room across from the gatheringspace addresses the faculty’s supervisory role as well.A building “Dashboard” demonstrates real-time energy use and savingssimultaneously.44 Milton Magazine