Summary

Skylights were added to reduce the cost of electricity, with more natural light entering during the times of occupation, there will be lower electricity bills. The community garden on the roof of the cafeteria will lower fruits and vegetable costs and will also be vital in bringing the community together for a common cause. The solar panels in the parking lot will lower energy cost and in such a visible location, it will encourage inquiry about new ways to save energy. Other advances in sustainability is the use of Triple Glazed, Low Solar Gain, Low-E Glass which will help insulate the building and is easy to warm in the winter and cool in the summer. With the efficient windows is also the incorporation Vinyl Frames which last a very long time, do not need regular maintenance, have amazing insulating qualities, and are resistant to extreme temperatures. Sheep's wool insulation is also used, which absorbed moisture without disrupting the retention of heat. The insulation will also prevent condensation which can rot the other building materials and be harmful to the students; wool is also fire resistant and will help with not having to adjust the heating and cooling systems as much and has an R-4 rating, which is a measurement of thermal resistance. Our flooring is Australian hardwood. The wood is sustainable, renewable and recyclable.
From the experience of redesigning the school cafeteria, I learned how important communication and not procrastinating is to the overall product you are working on. Whether working with a mentor or in a group,or both (as in this case), communicating your idea and the person higher in authority, communicating effectively what they want to see, matters a bunch. As the Director of Sustainability and Energy, I learned a lot about modern efforts of sustainability and energy efficiency. I realized the importance of energy in dealing with a school setting, and from especially the panel interview came to appreciate the school's efforts to be environmentally friendly. I learned about 1.6 gallon per flush toilets which I found to honestly be one of the most coolest things. Never before did I even think about how much water goes into a school just by having 20 toilets there, and to me, being eco-friendly is all about seeing your impact on your environment and trying simple ways to lower that impact. This project expanded my knowledge in architecture, team building, and efficiency.
A lot was learned when holding the position of Director of Community Relations. It is important to keep the community in mind when designing and creating a building. Safety and efficiency are key aspects to the design process. Recognizing all people, and allowing easy access to and from is what was learned. Realizing the different types of uses the facility could have was also difficult but helpful information to obtain. From the overall experience of planning, designing, and creating the redesign of the cafeteria, I learned that it is important to not only be accountable for your own work, but to contribute significantly to others as well. Constuctive feedback is crucial but important. One of the most important aspects I learned while working in a group is the need for communication. Talking to one another solves a lot of future problems and is very helpful amongst yourself and the members of your group. A lot of new and useful information was obtained from the experience of this project.