Designing Eco-Optimized Systems for Wake’s Largest High School

Families in Southwest Wake County are anticipating the construction of Felton Grove High School. The three-story building will accommodate 2,350 students making it the largest K-12 place of learning in the county. Highlights include a parking deck, extensive sports facilities and modern common areas indoors and out.

Better than big, it’s design maximizes efficiencies to minimize environmental impacts and costs alike. Wooten's Building Systems Group is providing state-of-the-industry Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) and fire protection. Among the 21st century features are:

Airflow units optimized to operate at 100% economy

Locker rooms conditioned by an outside energy recovery system

Energy efficient LED lights for all interior and exterior spaces

In collaboration with Ratio Architects, Wooten will reach the 60% design milestone by the end of March 2021, with construction on Felton Grove slated for early 2022. The school site, situated north of Holly Springs, is named for the historically black residential community of Feltonville, located just two miles west.

Including this project, Wooten has been the engineering firm of record for 43 new schools in Wake County over the last 25 years. Those construction projects total more than $800 million.

Congress recently extended the Section 179D Energy-Efficient Commercial Building Deduction. It provides a tax incentive for installation of energy-efficient components into buildings with HVAC and interior lighting systems. Qualifying businesses – as well as some government-owned buildings including schools – can receive up to $1.80 per square foot newly constructed or energy-upgraded commercial buildings.