Artist’s concept of the planned Environmental Science and Sustainability Center at Henrico Schools. (Courtesy of HCPS)

There are only 30 “living buildings” in the world—the definitive measure of environmental sustainability according to the International Living Future Institute. But Henrico Schools plans to add another building to that list.

The Henrico School Board approved schematic designs for a new Environmental Science and Sustainability Center on Aug. 22, which is scheduled to open in late 2026. The building, located on the 62-acre Wilton Farm in Varina County, will be used regularly by students majoring in environmental studies at Varina High School, as well as by HCPS students from all grade levels for field trips and outdoor learning.

The new center will not only be the second residential building in Virginia, but also the first K-12 public housing building in the world. In accordance with the Living Building Challenge, the building will produce all of its energy and water using on-site solar panels and rainwater tanks, generating virtually no waste.

“It’s just a testament to HCPS’ commitment and willingness to really express our commitment to sustainability,” said school board member Madison Irving (Three Chopt District). “I think the building is an example of what public spaces not only could be, but should be…and I’m glad it’s opening sooner than I would have expected for something of this quality.”

The 11,500-square-foot building will be located in a clearing next to Whale Lake and near the James River. The 62-acre site will feature a series of “stations” where students can explore different environmental features, including a lake station with a dock, a stream station, upland and lowland forest stations, and an urban agriculture area.

The site will also include a small orchard where students can plant new trees, and the center will feature a small wind turbine, a pollinator garden, an outdoor classroom area and a biochannel – an area of ​​vegetation that redirects and filters rainwater.

Artist’s concept of the planned Henrico Schools Environmental Science and Sustainability Center. (Courtesy of HCPS)

“Both the landscape and the building incorporate elements that are intentionally designed to inspire curiosity and serve as a living laboratory,” said Laura Gwyn, managing director of Perkins & Will, the architectural firm that HCPS commissioned to design the building. “The design models responsible use of land, water, energy and materials at the highest possible level.”

The building itself will be designed to resemble a bird’s wing seen from above, Gwyn said, with one half of the roof covered in native plants as a “green roof” and the other half covered in solar panels. The two-story building will also have landscaped planters that naturally filter rainwater and a large rainwater tank.

The upper level of the building will have four classrooms—two science classrooms and two flex rooms—for about 100 students and a common area, as well as an administration wing, an outdoor terrace, two covered porches, and one main entrance and lobby, which will be the only entry point into the building. Large floor-to-ceiling windows will provide plenty of natural light and views of the lake.

The lower level will be a mostly outdoor “mess level” for wet boots, outdoor gear and even kayaks, Gwyn said. In addition to an area for storing gear, the lower level will have restrooms with composting toilets and a glass-enclosed water treatment room where all water used in the building will be purified.

The building will also feature numerous materials reclaimed and reused from other projects in the district, for example old floors in the gymnasium will be used to create interior wooden panelling.

“It’s a really, really good thing we’re doing here,” said school board member Ryan Young (Fairfield District). “I’ve heard about the lake access, the wind turbines, the solar panels, the zero waste, the use of recycled materials in the construction of the building. And protecting our environment has become more and more important.”

The project has a budget of $16.3 million, with funds set to be used in a 2022 county bond referendum, and HCPS has decided to hire an “at-risk” construction manager to help select materials and methods that will keep the project within budget.

Artist’s concept of the planned Environmental Science and Sustainability Center at Henrico Schools. (Courtesy of HCPS)

But given all the different features included in the building’s design, HCPS will need to focus on keeping construction costs within budget, said school board member Marcie Shea (R-Tuckahoe District). The department has already earmarked $340.5 million for other ongoing construction projects for a 2022 bond referendum.

“I know this is a significant investment for us,” Shea said. “We have skyrocketing school construction costs, so this is definitely a priority in all of our construction projects.”

HCPS officials hope to have the building design finalized in June, with construction set to begin immediately thereafter and be completed in November 2026. The building will open to students next month.

Once the building is completed, it will likely house students from all grades every day and even community members after school hours, said HCPS Superintendent Amy Cashwell.

“The first, most natural connection for our high school students at Varina is for it to be their school, a place where they can be, learn, explore and implement their curriculum outside,” Cashwell said. “But I suspect that whether it’s professional learning from teachers on site or field trips by students at all grade levels, it will be a vibrant, active place.”

* * *

Liana Hardy is a Citizen’s Report for America Corps member and education reporter. Her position depends on reader support; make a tax-deductible contribution to Citizen through RFA here.