The Newest Green Classroom is Ready For California Students
The target installation date for Bolsa Knolls project is mid-August, so they will be ready for the upcoming school year. Eight other Gen7 buildings, including restrooms, will be added at the end of 2010. Photo: Gen7
As we first reported a few months ago, the Gen7 line of modular classrooms have gained attention in the state of California due to both their eco-friendly features and a commitment to improving student performance.
The first six Gen7 classrooms were officially delivered to Bolsa Knolls Middle School in Salinas last week.
These classrooms do not replace an entire school, but are instead designed to be an addition to existing facilities. The manufacturer of Gen7 classrooms, American Modular Systems (AMS), handles all of the building and installation.
The target installation date for Bolsa Knolls project is mid-August, so they will be ready for the upcoming school year. Eight other Gen7 buildings, including restrooms, will be added at the end of 2010.
Gen7 uses insulation made of old blue jeans, low-volatile organic compound (VOC) paints and an emphasis on improving air conditions and providing natural lighting. The buildings are also designed to be 100 percent recyclable.
The company also touts the performance features of improved natural lighting and air quality, including better student test scores and less time mixed due to respiratory illnesses.
“Not only do green schools enjoy 20 percent higher test scores, fewer absences, lower healthcare costs and higher teacher retention,” said AMS Vice President of Operations Tony Sarich. “These eco-friendly, low-maintenance classrooms save money for the school districts —both in installation costs and energy savings— up to $100,000 per year in direct cost savings and long-term savings of more than 30 percent.”
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