Project Frog Breaks Ground on Net Zero Energy Watkinson School

Last November, Project FROG demonstrated their FROG Zero classroom at Greenbuild 2008, and it was quite impressive. Now, the company has a couple projects in the works, and they just broke ground on a new Center for Science and Global Citizenship at the Watkinson School in Hartford, Connecticut. The 4,000 square-foot science center will generate more energy within its footprint than is required to operate the systems. To do so, it will rely on some of the following active and passive strategies:

A ground source heat pump;
Photovoltaic array;
Design to reduce energy-demand by 75 percent; and
Windows (with glare control) that allow abundant natural light.

This is Project FROG's first foray into a cold climate with their modular system -- a system comprised of mostly recyclable components. The school will feature three, flexible classrooms that can morph into lecture, seminar, or lab instruction spaces. But no matter what the activity, the baseline LEED Silver design will serve as a springboard for students and faculty to discuss sustainable design, energy efficiency, and green construction.

[+] Take a photo tour of a built FROG Zero classroom.