Building a Net Zero Energy School – With Help From Elemax™ AWB

Benjamin Banneker Academic High School, in Washington DC, was given the go-ahead for a $152M expansion project that encompassed demolition and transformation of the existing site to a modernized, larger facility that could accommodate an additional 300 students.

A key focus of this construction project was sustainability, with ambitious goals to be Net Zero Energy ready; at a minimum, the school needed to achieve LEED BD+C Schools Gold Certification for efficiency. Architects Perkins Eastman DC and MCN Build alongside contractors Forsythe Inc., were tasked with delivering on these objectives.

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Adding Elemax AWB to the Specification

To help reach the required standards, the original building plans called for a complex design that included spray foam on the Rockwool of the building’s exterior, and an additional thermal barrier coating in order to meet fire safety standards. The plans also specified an acrylic AWB coating.

When Bob Hudson, Vice President of Operations at Forsyth Inc, the contractor for the project, saw the plans, he believed there was an easier, more cost-effective way – using Elemax 2600 AWB.

He suggested moving the spray foam to the interior and swapping the acrylic AWB for Elemax 2600 AWB. In addition to enabling greater energy performance of the building, these changes would also eliminate the need for the thermal barrier coating, thus the opportunity for reducing costs, complexity, and timetable for the project.

The new specification was accepted, and the project broke ground in early Fall 2019.

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Efficient Application and Overcoming Project Disruption

This was a large-scale, challenging project that included the application of Elemax 2600 AWB to 80,000 sq ft of surface! Unfortunately, due to its location, spray application was not an option, so rollers would be used instead. Also, Elemax 2600 AWB is primerless, and can be applied in a single coat.

While construction was well underway in early 2020, the Coronavirus crisis caused immediate disruption. With the surfaces only partially coated, work was paused for several months. With an acrylic AWB coating, this delay would have likely posed a significant problem, as the product typically needs to be applied to surfaces within a strict time period, or otherwise require recoating.

However, with Elemax 2600 AWB, the contractor was able to resume where they had left off a couple of months earlier – helping to minimize and further delays.

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Delivering LEED Certification

The design changes proved to be a success, and, with help from Elemax 2600 AWB, the build is on track to achieve its sustainability goals, including both LEED BD+C Schools Gold certification and Net Zero energy use.

Despite the disruption caused by the pandemic, the school is set to be completed in 2021 – and scheduled to open in time for the new school year in September.

Elemax is rain ready in 30 minutes, and can be applied year-round in temperatures down to 0°F. This will help minimize the risk of weather delays that might have caused further disruption.

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Seamless Protection with Elemax Air and Water Barrier Coatings

Protect your building against wet weather, air intrusions, damaging UV and extreme temperatures, with Elemax Air and Water-Resistive Barrier Coatings.

By preventing the seepage of unwanted water that can lead to the growth of mold and mildew, a single coat of Elemax AWB 2600 can help improve air quality, stabilize temperature control, and reduce energy consumption by up to 35%. UV-resistant upon cure, Elemax AWB  maintains elasticity even after years of exposure to the elements.

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For additional information on Elemax AWB, visit https://www.siliconeforbuilding.com/product/elemax-2600-awb