Bringing Light Into Middle Schools

The ages of 11 through 14 are pivotal years for children. Research over the past 25 years has shown that the transition from elementary school to junior high is poorly timed for students. School districts, which once designated as their middle schools grades 7 through 9 are now changing to grades 6 through 8 to better group children based on physiological and social development stages. Furthermore, research indicates that most growing communities focus on construction of new high schools or grammar schools rather than middle schools. In fact, many junior highs werenÍt even built as schools; they were structures modified to fit the needs of an expanding population. However, this is changing as the importance of middle schools is being recognized. In Birmingham, Michigan, a middle school has taken center stage.

The new Derby Middle School was built to provide enhanced access to technology to satisfy curriculum needs. TMP Associates designed the 140,000-square-foot, 2-story school with the students in mind. The school brings modern technology to the fingertips of young minds in a positive and bright atmosphere. The use of natural daylight was a requirement in the design of this circular building. "One of the biggest challenges in designing Derby was creating a tall, lightweight, translucent skin,"says architect Doug Horner. "We chose a Kalwall Kalcurve^TM curtainwall system."

"Derby has a circular layout with radial demising walls within a high-bay space," explains Horner. The school's exterior is made of durable, long-lasting materials such as face brick, precast concrete, stainless steel, glazed brick and Kalwall. The exterior of each Kalwall panel is made with innovative super-weathering and colorfast resins the full thickness. Standard to exteriors is a glass veil erosion barrier, which prevents "fiber bloom". "The Kalwall wraps the building along with a cable supported canopy," says Horner. "We wanted a technical look for Derby." The interior is flooded with natural, diffuse daylight provided by Kalwall. In addition to contributing to the overall "feel" of the interior space, Kalwall eliminates the glare caused by sunlight reflecting off computer screens and video monitors. The quality of natural light in a classroom with Kalwall creates an ideal atmosphere for productivity. Even on dark, cloudy days, Kalwall transmits usable daylight deep within a building. The soft quality of light transmitted through Kalwall panels also helps to prevent eyestrain.

Adds Horner, "We chose Kalwall because of its diffuse light quality. We've had good success with Kalwall." Offering light transmission ranges from 3% to 74% and shading coefficients from 1.0 to under 0.04, the Kalwall in Derby has a light transmission of 17% and a shading coefficient of 0.17 and is the standard 2-3/4 inch (70mm) thickness.

"The light transmission properties are very good," adds Horner. Electrical lighting costs can be reduced and bulb life extended. Kalwall also delivers significant additional energy savings. Kalwall is the most highly insulating, diffused light-transmitting technology available today. In Derby, the Kalwall panels have a "U" factor of .29. The savings in HVAC energy costs alone are a major advantage over traditional fenestration.

For more information, contact:

Bruce Keller
Kalwall Corporation
1-800-258-9777

Architect: TMP Associates, Inc., Bloomfield Hills, MI