Colin Powell Middle School follows LEED green building guidelines

The 122,000 square foot Colin Powell Middle School follows LEED green building guidelines. High-performance technologies include a daylight harvesting system, pond-based geothermal system, and passive security system. Visitors approaching the school at the main entry can see through several building “layers” to the 3-acre pond at the back of the facility. These views, courtesy of glass walls, capture the themes that inspired the design of the school: openness, innovation, and respect for nature. The building layout integrates site features, solar patterns, and internal circulation requirements. Key interior spaces wrap around two outdoor courtyards accessible from within the school. The courtyards bring light into the building, provide an additional secure space for outdoor activities, and simplify navigation of the school.