First Net-Zero School Slated for Alexandria, VA

Published by Commercial Construction & Renovation: Across the globe, the number of net-zero energy buildings is on the rise. In 2020 New Buildings Institute (NBI) estimated there were at least 700 in the United States alone. Net-zero buildings cost less to operate while providing healthy, comfortable, and attractive indoor environments.

In 2019, the City of Alexandria adopted a green building policy with standards that established green building practices for its own public buildings and for new private developments. The Alexandria County Public School (ACPS) system in Virginia is in the process of modernizing the aging elementary facilities in its portfolio. The first school being built with net-zero principles is Douglas MacArthur Elementary which first opened in 1943 to serve families who came to the greater Washington, DC region to support the war effort. After almost 80 years, its building envelope has deteriorated beyond repair and needs replacement.

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