Mine subsidence threatened the 7-year old elementary school in Benld, Illinois – removing the very earth beneath it. The order to G&H was a tall one: rebuild our school, make it safe, and have it meet Gold LEED standards.
G&H’s forward-thinking design and solution to challenging subsidence issues commanded $1.1 million in grants for the project from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation, USEPA, Pepsi, and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
Today, the bright new Ben-Gil Elementary School features an impressive array of energy conservation features including a geothermal HVAC system, LED light fixtures and natural daylighting in all classrooms, a 50kw demonstration photovoltaic system, and even a wind turbine. In addition to bringing energy efficiency to the school and district, these features serve as learning tools for the Pre-K through 5th graders at Ben-gil. The state-of-the-art new building now also hosts a full size gym and a stage for both elementary and high school use.