Alvin H. Butz, Inc. has completed two Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certified buildings for the Allentown School District, Allentown.

Ramos Elementary School, adjacent to Jackson Elementary School, is a new 85,000-square-foot facility for 750 students. It is organized into three distinct masses, with each mass composed of multiple "learning communities" for each grade level. It is the third facility in the Allentown School District to achieve LEED Gold certification.

The William Allen High School Clifford S. Bartholomew building is a state-of-the-art, three-story facility for ninth grade students. The facility features more than 84,000-square-feet of classroom and administration space, a two-story cafeteria and a media center.

Butz incorporating aspects of the United States Green Building Council's LEED framework into both buildings, paying particular attention to issues of energy and water conservation, resource and waste management and indoor air quality.

Green features of the William Allen High School Clifford S. Bartholomew Building and Ramos Elementary School include:

Vegetated roof covering 100 percent of the roof area (excluding mechanical);

Water-efficient plumbing fixtures;

Energy-efficient mechanical and lighting systems;

Recycled-regional materials; and

Abundant day lighting.

"We were thrilled to learn that both the William Allen High School Clifford S. Bartholomew building and Ramos Elementary School were awarded LEED Gold certification," said Robert Sperling, Director of Facilities Services at Allentown School District. "These projects are great examples to the students and the community of the district's commitment to sustainability."

USA Architects, Planners + Interior Designers were the architects for the William Allen High School Clifford S. Bartholomew project.

Roberson Butz Architects designed the Ramos Elementary School.

"Achieving LEED certification on both projects is a tremendous accomplishment and a testament to the dedication, collaboration and expertise of the entire project team," said Greg Butz, President and CEO of Alvin H. Butz, Inc.

Including Allentown School District's William Allen High School Clifford S. Bartholomew Building and Ramos Elementary School, there are 16 LEED-Certified projects in the Butz portfolio.