Sited on a glacial moraine adjacent to a 100-acre nature conservancy, the Pope Farm Elementary project was tasked to accommodate ten-mile views of the state capitol building and to meet energy efficiency requirements necessary to receive utility incentives.

Incorporating a geoexchange system of 88 bores, 400 ft deep, and water-to-water heat pumps, the energy system performs with 60% greater efficiency than the Energy Star national average and eliminates all rooftop and other visible exterior mechanical equipment. Energy recovery wheels reduce the number of bores necessary, while CO2 monitoring sensors control 74 terminal air units equipped with VFD fans and modulating dampers.