Winter weather means a return to indoor sports for many of us in the north, but being inside doesn’t mean you have to forego the beauty and benefits of daylight.
One great example of a nicely daylit gymnasium space is the Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, built by Kirby Nagelhout Construction Company and designed by Steele Associates Architects. The school’s name was inspired by the nearby train tracks and historic rail spurs from an old timber mill, but its design is geared toward more modern goals.
The 600-capacity school features energy efficient LED lighting throughout, a heat recovery system to minimize heat loss and save energy, and offers students and teachers generous access to daylight, with a lot of natural light and extensive use of glazing throughout the facility. In the gymnasium, Guardian 275® translucent wall panels help fill the space with natural light while eliminating annoying glare that can hinder athletic performance. The translucent wall panels also help to make the space feel more inviting and welcoming.
According to an article in the Cascade Business News, Scott Steele of Steele Associates Architects stated that
“the countless design and construction meetings have really paid off and we’re proud to be part of the team to deliver Silver Rail Elementary School, an outstanding school that will give educators a flexible modern environment to teach in, and students an uplifting, bright and sustainable environment in which to learn.”
For more information on how Major’s daylighting systems can help your school or athletic facility design, call us at 888-759-2678, email sales@majorskylights.com, or visit our project gallery for additional inspiration.
