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CHS Environmental Club Brainstorms Sustainable Infrastructure Improvements in Collaboration with Re:Vision Architecture

CHS Environmental Club Brainstorms Sustainable Infrastructure Improvements in Collaboration with Re:Vision Architecture
  • 2024-2025 Spotlights
  • STEM

The CHS Environmental Club held its first meeting of the year with a presentation from guest speaker Drew Lavine, partner and director of design at Re:Vision Architecture, as well as the author of the draft CHS Sustainability Plan. 

Lavine presented an overview of green buildings, introduced the main elements of the CHS sustainability plan to the Enviro Club members, and facilitated an interactive brainstorming session to engage students in helping to implement various aspects of the plan. The plan focuses on seven “lenses” of sustainability: place, water, energy/carbon, health/ happiness, materials, equity/inclusion, and beauty/inspiration, for which the students brainstormed ideas. 

Place focuses on the enhancement of ecological performance of the building through natural means. as well as place-based cultural and historical connections. Some suggestions the students brainstormed included utilizing outdoor classrooms, prioritizing native plants instead of turf grass, and recognizing the contributions of the Lenape people. 

Water focuses on the treatment of water as a precious resource through its full natural and built environment cycle. Suggestions included collecting rainwater to be recycled, installing plumbing that uses less water and providing more refillable water bottle stations throughout the building. 

Energy and carbon prioritizes movement toward a balanced relationship with energy sources that give off carbon emissions that contribute to global climate change. Suggestions from students outlined installing liftable shades in the classroom to utilize natural light, using roof space for renewable energy resources like solar panels, and installing motion sensor lights to conserve energy when not in use. 

Health and happiness envisions a lively environment which promotes physical and mental health. Students suggested having an art installation in the hallways, utilizing outdoor spaces for learning, and introducing greenery and plants into educational and shared spaces. 

Materials prioritizes the utilization of materials that are safe and healthy for humans and the environment during extraction, manufacturing, installation, occupancy and decommissioning. Suggestions included redesigning classrooms with human and environmental impact in mind, for example when selecting paint, chairs, floors, etc. 

Equity and inclusion outlines the creation of a fair, just and accessible environment for all. Student suggestions included installing a functioning and reliable elevator, a pool lift for the natatorium, and ramps at all school entrances. 

Beauty and inspiration focuses on uplighting the human spirit and performance through the incorporation of inspirational, educational, and beautiful elements in the building that are loved and cared for. Student suggestions included installing a school garden. 

The environmental club plans to turn its ideas into a reality by focusing on a few suggestions outlined at their meeting and using them as the basis for their work this school year. 
 

Learn more about Re:Vision here.

View the presentation here. 

  • Cheltenham High School
  • Cheltenham School District