Maine Academy of Natural Science at Good Will-Hinckley Moody School, Addition and Renovations

A renovation and addition to a national register listed historic school on a rural campus that stood unused for nearly 30 years. The design approach is respectful of the historic building (1905-06), retaining much of the original character defining features while developing highly energy efficient alterations and a classroom addition.

A feasibility study assisted the Trustees decision to reuse the underutilized campus asset rather than construct new; the project’s guiding criteria was developed during a planning workshop. Space programming developed with the educators yielded designs accommodating an enrollment growth from 46 students to 200 students within five years.

The building is designed to an energy usage level approximately 30% less than a conventional building. Strategies include reuse of the historic building, upgrades to the historic building’s exterior thermal envelope, incorporation of highly efficient mechanical systems, and LED lighting. The project goal of net-positive energy usage is achieved through roof mounted photovoltaic array coupled with the low energy demand of the building. The Moody School will use approximately 77,000 kWh annually, leaving a “net positive” of 13,000 kWh of clean, renewable power.  This will offset the energy needs of adjacent greenhouses and other facilities on campus.