The Sarah E. Goode STEM Academy High School, developed as part of the Public Building Commission of Chicago’s (PBC) capital development program, exceeded its initial LEED Silver target, achieving LEED Platinum certification with no impact on budget – this innovative project was delivered at a similar per-square-foot cost as the prototype high school built during the same period.

This was achieved through a highly collaborative and integrative design process with forward-thinking sustainability strategies that used off-the-shelf parts. With an innovative mechanical system with a dedicated outside air system, ground source heat pumps with enthalpy exchange through more than 170 geo-exchange wells, and solar thermal panels, the school has returned energy savings beyond what was modeled.

The site features a vegetated roof with a bird habitat and a sculptural water harvest system that captures rainwater to irrigate raised garden plots. The project reclaimed and remediated a former industrial brownfield property and provides outdoor amenities that serve the neighborhood as well as the school.

Cotter served as the sustainability manager and provided program and project management services as part of a capital development program with the Public Building Commission of Chicago (PBC) which includes over 85 LEED-certified buildings to date, in alignment with the City of Chicago sustainability goals.