Dena Boer Elementary was selected as a model school for a Pacific Gas & Electric Company Daylighting Initiative focus project that demonstrates the energy efficiency and productivity opportunity available to educational facilities. The Dena Boer Elementary School in Salida, California is part of a continuing tradition of building well-daylit schools within the Salida School District. Working within a standard construction budget, the architect placed a priority on creating pleasant interior spaces. Daylighting was used throughout the entire school at the same cost of building a typical school. The design incorporates deep overhangs at vertical windows and advanced prismatic skylights that provide balanced, high-quality light and a good learning environment for students.

Skylights distribute daylight throughout the building, including classrooms, library, multipurpose room, and offices. The skylights and high ceilings provide pleasing classroom proportions and enhance the school's architectural character. They provide plenty of full-spectrum light, which is conducive to productive teaching and learning. A typical classroom is lit by four 4 ft x 4 ft skylights, set 12 feet apart on center, with a well height of 17 feet. The perimeter ceiling is 12 feet. Skylight wells are splayed to reduce glare and help distribute daylight. High efficiency fluorescent lights (T-8s) with electronic ballasts are recessed in the horizontal ceiling bands between the skylight wells, while wall sconces are placed strategically along the perimeter.

The skylights create an open, bright work environment. We just seem to have more room. Visitors say it sure is a pleasant place to come into.

Rick Bartkowski
Principal
Dena Boer Elementary School