Welcome to New Member Urban Evolutions

Affinity & Boldt Mentor Neenah High School Students

The students began with asking how to address existing infrastructure with modern design. Eric spoke about the advantages of commissioning so that systems are optimized. They introduced the LEED for Existing Buildings and Schools rating systems. The students came prepared and were familiar with many of the concepts. Other points of discussion included reducing resource depletion, energy conservation measures such as reducing lighting power density, implementing renewable energy, utilizing natural resources, and diverting waste from the landfill, which was a big topic. Iqbal shared CNN's feature of the Greenest University which presented students in Boulder, Colorado taking charge of reducing waste at their school. The students were inspired. Eric and Iqbal emphasized the importance of creativity in order to break barriers surrounding sustainability issues.

Currently, the Neenah High School Green Team is pushing for a sustainability policy to be approved by the Neenah City school board. After brainstorming about specific sustainability projects the students could implement, Eric and Iqbal gave a tour of the "factory floor" where the students saw how low-level acoustics and exposure to day-lighting and nature were integrated into the design process of the building to support evidence-based design. The vegetative roof was a highlight of the tour. The students identified aspects of the hospital that were tied to nature and the effects on the patient experience. Eric and Iqbal plan to keep in touch with the students throughout the school year to discuss their progress and found the experience of working with a bright and energetic group of young students to be rewarding, and an instrumental part of "regenerative design".