IMEG provided engineering design and services for Riverview School, the new pre-K through 8th grade school in the Roaring Fork District. Riverview was funded by a bond passed in November 2015 to meet the needs of the expanding community and was designed to meet the school district’s goals of providing space for flexibility, modern technology, outdoor learning spaces, and energy efficiency. The design is in compliance with CO-CHPS and 2014 LEED v4 with a minimum equivalent of silver certification but will not be certified.

The mechanical design included a variable volume air handling direct/indirect evaporative cooled system with hydronic heating. Air handlers with energy recovery, evaporative cooling, and hydronic heating are located on the roof with terminal variable air volume (VAV) boxes located in the ceiling spaces throughout the building. The AHUs with evaporative cooling will achieve a 35-40 percent reduction in cooling energy cost when compared to traditional direct expansion (DX) cooling. High-efficiency condensing boilers are located in a central mechanical room. The mechanical design also includes variable speed pumping with optimized flow and temperature reset sequences, load-based heating reset, fan speed controls, and carbon dioxide outside air control.

The electrical design included LED lighting throughout the interior and exterior of the building, with emergency egress lighting provided by a natural gas generator. Decorative linear tubular fixtures and cylinders light the main entries into the building, and a combination of recessed linear slots, downlights, suspended fixtures, and windows provided light in the corridors and public spaces. High bay lights are suspended in the gymnasium to provide additional lighting, along with tubular skylights, daylight harvesting, and occupancy sensors that provide automatic control. Offices, workspaces, and staff areas are provided with recess direct/indirect lights with daylight harvesting and occupancy/vacancy sensors for automatic control. Local controls in classrooms provide teachers the ability to turn lights on and off for A/V presentation and the desired teaching environment. The building’s general interior and exterior lighting is controlled by an occupancy-based digital addressable system, with areas of daylight harvesting photosensor control, and local override controls for cleaning and maintenance times. General purpose receptacles and special outlets along with data outlets are installed throughout for A/V, computers, and equipment.

Additionally, electrical vehicle charging stations were provided in the parking lot for staff and visitor use. The occupants are protected by a fully addressable fire alarm system that includes voice evacuation. Safety and security is provided on the interior and exterior of the building by egress controls installed at the doors with card access and cameras strategically located throughout the facility.