Four Gen7 green modular classrooms—the Bay Area’s first—arrived at Albany High School last week, offering a range of eco-friendly features, an inspiring learning environment and, even better, a budget-friendly price tag.  Part of the new Albany High School Aquatic Center project, the Gen7s will give students an additional wing of high-performance learning space that cost less than a traditional building and can deliver as much as 60% in energy savings.

“We’re proud to be the first district in the Bay Area to build Gen7 classrooms,” said Marla Stephenson, superintendent of the Albany Unified School District.  “We wanted the look and permanence of stick-built construction at a modular price, and Gen7 more than delivered.”

Gen7, manufactured by Manteca-based American Modular Systems (AMS), makes it easier—and more cost-effective—for a school to go green. Using a precision manufacturing process, Albany’s Gen7s is built and installed in less than 90 days, but have the same lifespan as a conventional building. Constructed in AMS’ enclosed 280,000-square-foot factory, the fully functional classrooms is delivered 90% complete and installed on the school campus, with minimal site disruption.

Like all Gen7s, the Albany classrooms are designed to meet and exceed the most stringent green building codes for schools, combining cutting-edge green technology with recycled and renewable building materials to provide a safe, healthy learning environment.  State-of-the-art systems combine thermal comfort with innovative smart lighting and daylight harvesting to make each classroom a model of energy efficiency.  The first Gen7s, installed in 2010 at Bolsa Knolls Middle School in Salinas, reported a 60% reduction in energy usage compared to neighboring schools, as well as fewer missed school days and 100% occupant satisfaction in post-occupancy surveys.

The Albany Gen7 classrooms will be located adjacent to the new Albany High School Aquatic Center.  Design firm LPA, Inc. is the architect for the pool project, designed to be a centerpiece in the community.

“Gen7’s flexible design integrates seamlessly with the aquatic complex and offers high-performance features that other prefab structures simply can’t match,” says LPA Project Director Steve Newsom. “Gen7 offers a turnkey sustainable solution for greening schools throughout California.”

To learn more about Gen7 green classrooms, visit www.gen7schools.com or call (209) 825-1921.

Manteca-based American Modular Systems (www.americanmodular.com) is one of the nation’s leading modular manufacturers, designing and building quality commercial, institutional and educational facilities since 1983. Gen7 eco-friendly classrooms, launched in 2009, empower communities to create healthy, energy-efficient learning environments that will benefit students and educators for generations to come.