Vail Christian High School

At Issue

BGCE is providing mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering, lighting design and LEEDTM certification services for this new high school project. The project consists of two buildings: the Gymnasium and Arts Building will contain a gymnasium, locker rooms, weight room, auditorium, art room, rehearsal room and shelled spaces for future use; the Classroom Building will contain classrooms, dining hall, offices, IT area, conference room, seminar room, and miscellaneous support spaces.

BGCE's Work

In order to obtain the much-sought-after LEEDTM certification, both buildings are employing several energy saving measures that include:

• Natural daylighting and ventilation schemes to maximize the potential of the sun and outdoor air to effectively maintain a comfortable environment


• Strategic use of window orientation and lighting selection to supplement lighting energy with high-quality daylight


• Controlled exterior lighting to help minimize the ecological impacts of the building site


• Waterless urinals and automated low-flow fixtures to reduce potable water consumption


• Outside air volume control by CO2 sensors


• Variable Air Volume (VAV) system with either gas-fired or hydronic heating and evaporative cooling, providing a high degree of zonal control and allowing the system to satisfy each space as occupancies and outside conditions fluctuate throughout the day


• Evaporative cooling to greatly reduce the energy required for cooling


• HCFC-free refrigerants and ducted fan coils in the server, multimedia and computer rooms to maintain appropriate temperatures; each zone having its own thermostat, to cycle the associated equipment based on desired temperatures


• High efficiency condensing boilers to provide heating water to all VAV boxes, unit and cabinet heaters, and air handling units for the Gymnasium and Arts Building

Client Benefits