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The future of education infrastructure framed a conversation with construction and energy specialists Tuesday evening, as architects and designers gathered in downtown Portland to hear realistic solutions for increasing energy efficiency in schools.

Organized by the Portland Green Schools Committee, the discussion was the second in a series dedicated to the topic. Panelists gave their own presentations, and then a moderator and the audience posed questions.

Both Portland and Oregon as a whole have seen a recent increase in sustainability in schools, many of which were highlighted in presentations. In Portland, Benson Polytechnic High School is set to undergo renovations to make it more energy efficient, while Kellogg Middle School will be replaced entirely.

鈥淚f it’s a school, it’s more than just a building; it’s a learning environment,鈥� said Joe Echeverri, a Bassetti Architects principal who worked on the Benson project. 鈥淗ow do we make this building the best environment possible?鈥�

For schools like Benson, which opened nearly 102 years ago, Echeverri said the historic aspect plays an important role in decisions about modernization. Benson High School is an iconic part of Northeast Portland, so it didn’t make sense to tear it down, he said.

But for Kellogg, which had undergone many adaptations in its history, the opportunity to build a new school opened up numerous possibilities. The 108,000-square-foot building, set to open for the 2021-22 school year, is designed to be 鈥渘et zero鈥� by producing as much energy as it uses.

鈥淚t was going to cost more to correct some of the issues鈥� in the existing school, said Deb France, an Oh Planning+Design principal who designed the new Kellogg Middle School. 鈥淚t’s not like you have to spend more money to save energy.鈥�

Kellogg’s energy-efficiency features will not only save money and be better for the environment, but also be used as part of the curriculum. Monitors in the school will display how much energy is being produced by solar panels.

The momentum of sustainability in schools has proven strong even outside of Portland, as schools in Astoria, Woodburn and east Multnomah County have all taken steps to go green. According to Elin Shepard, outreach manager for Energy Trust of Oregon, the new Patriot Hall at Clatsop Community College is saving it more than $21,000 in utility costs each year, while three new elementary schools in Reynolds School District will save it more than $60,000 annually altogether.

鈥淭here’s money on the table; let’s help you access that,鈥� Shepard said in reference to Energy Trust of Oregon’s Path to Net Zero program.

When panelists were asked whether it would be possible to standardize a net-zero, sustainable requirement for schools, their response was optimistic. Engaging in conversations with school officials early and often is important, Shepard said, and if a stakeholder can find one advocate on staff, that can make a difference.

鈥淵ou’ve got to have a champion,鈥� she said.

Government measures can help, France said. If lawmakers were to set requirements of some sort, that could drive home just how important and feasible sustainable solutions are, she added.

鈥淵ou have to start at a policy level,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e got to find a way to make it real for people.鈥�