Samuel Brighouse Elementary School

Samuel Brighouse Elementary School is a K-7 school located in a single-family neighborhood in Richmond, BC. The two-story 4,777 m² structure includes classrooms, administration space, a library, community space, and a renovated gymnasium. Integral Group delivered mechanical engineering services for this project. The design process involved the participation of Richmond School District No. 38, City staff, parents, and neighbors. It reflects the school district’s goal of transparency, collaborative learning, and connecting to nature and the community. A wide range of environmental design strategies includes displacement ventilation, daylight harvesting combined with solar shading, a well-insulated building envelope, fiberglass frame, triple-glazed classroom windows, and VOC-free interior finishes. As heating and cooling energy come from a geo-exchange system while solar collectors heat domestic hot water, the overall energy consumption is predicted to be 57% below that of a model building under MNECB. It is worth noting that on several occasions, the school has operated entirely without consuming fossil fuels. Water conservation and stormwater management are achieved through low-flow fixtures and a green roof that directs runoff to a constructed wetland. To conserve water, site landscaping uses native plants to eliminate the need for irrigation.

Key Features