Green Building Elements

Hartley’s building was designed to not only be a place to teach, but to be a teacher as well. Learn more by paying us a visit!

Renewable Energy Systems

Solar Panels

  • 72 roof-mounted panels will produce up to 11.8 kilowatts electrical power (DC)
  • 8 pole mounted panels can produce up to 1.3 kW and maintains maximum generation angle by following sun using a two axis tracker
  • Grid tied; when we generate more electricity than needed, Minnesota Power buys the surplus
  • 165W Schott Solar panels

Natural Lighting

  • Windows and clerestory were strategically placed to maximize natural lighting
  • A scale model of the building built for laboratory testing of window placement

Ground Source Heat Pump

  • Transports solar heat from the ground into building via circulation of a liquid through underground coils
  • Coils are buried 8-10 feet underground in front (south face) of the building
  • Heat pump heats fluid which circulates in building’s in-floor radiant heat system through zones as needed

Solar Wall (south side of building, just east of entrance)

  • Preheats air with sunlight; air is taken in by building ventilation system when thermostat calls for it

Passive Solar Heating

  • East-west building orientation brings in sunlight
  • Concrete slab absorbs heat and re-radiates it inside building
  • Roof-overhangs shade windows during summer months

Energy Conservation

Insulated Concrete Forms

  • Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF’s) are foam-insulated blocks that are stacked and interlocked, tied together with rebar and filled with concrete to make the building’s foundation
  • R-22 insulation efficiency

Heat-recovery Ventilation

  • Three energy recovery systems recover heat from air exhausted during building ventilation

Energy Production and Consumption Tracking

  • Energy system sensors track the building’s energy use and production from solar panels allowing us to adjust usage as needed

Building Materials

100% Recycled-content Roof Shingles

  • 100% post-consumer recycled aluminum shingles with a 50-year warranty

Recycled-content Ceiling Tiles

  • 77% recycled content (post-consumer paper, iron ore slag and gypsum)

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Certified Wood

  • Redwood siding grown in FSC-certified forests (California)
  • White Ash interior trim, cabinets, wainscot from FSC-certified forests in Pennsyvania; processed by Aitkin Hardwoods, Minnesota
  • Other FSC-certified wood: plywood, framing lumber (Douglas Fir), particle board, ceiling decking (Ponderosa Pine)
  • Most wood supplied by Certified Wood Products of Minnetonka or Timberweld of MT

Recycled-content Carpet Tiles

  • 25% post-industrial recycled content
  • 100% recyclable into new carpet tiles

Recycled Latex Paint

  • 50% minimum recycled content

Non-PVC materials

  • HNC used alternatives to PVC in plumbing (polyethlene plastic and ductile iron), conduit (aluminum) and carpet (recyclable nylon) and wood stains (natural-based wood glaze made from citrus peel oil and other natural oils and resins)

Minimizing Site Impact

Run-off Prevention Walkway and Parking

  • Pervious paving systems allow stormwater to percolate into ground

Intentional Site Selection

  • Site was old pasture lands, heavily invaded by non-native tansy
  • On a south-facing slope, providing good exposure to sunlight
  • Outside of delineated wetland areas
  • Potential for landscape restoration with native plants following construction
  • Required cutting of few trees; some trees were replanted on site
  • Site located near major road and already used parking lot which required less underground construction for utilities and driveway.