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New Day School

After a complete renovation, this preschool provides a healthy, regenerative place for kids to learn and grow.

Solar panels on the roof of New Day School and the surrounding landscape.
Garden entry
New Day School, showing a mother and child approaching the reception desk. Beyond the reception is a lovely window which lets plenty of light into the space. Softly textured cork floors combined with wood windows and doors create a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Children together learning in the New Day Classroom which has soft coloration paired with soft detailing such as a rounded window and rounded drywall corners.
Children at New Day school walking from a classroom into the hallway. The hallway is bright from windows along the perimeter and the floor is a soft and durable cork.
New Day Classroom showing windows that are scaled to the height of a younger child so that they have views out to the garden. A round rug anchors the room and there are bookshelves around the perimeter.
Children using the cubbies to store their things.
Child washing his hands in the sink.
Children entering the New Day School which has bright orange siding and a coral trim. The building is constructed in a craftsman style which reflects the character of the neighborhood.
Project Scope
Architecture, Construction, Renovation
Project Stats

Design: Two school buildings with classrooms and administrative offices | 3,140 square feet

Certifications 

Net Zero Energy

Backyard Habitat 

Energy, Carbon Emissions and Indoor Air Quality

EUI: 12.9 kBtu/sf/yr, >50% reduction from the existing 25.7 kBtu/sf/yr

Passive House design principles: Super-insulated with wood fiber insulation and recycled cellulose insulation, triple-pane tilt-turn windows, heat recovery ventilation and filtration system, air source heat pumps, low-flow water fixtures

45.5-kilowatt solar photovoltaic (PV) system

Healthy Materials

Recyclable and FSC-certified wood

Press: Featured on KGW8, Passive House Accelerator, and the Oregon Department of Energy’s Grounded podcast

Collaboration: Photos by Bill Purcell Photography

Project Description

New Day School is a preschool in Southeast Portland grounded in Neohumanist philosophy. We applied Passive House principles to transform two older, inefficient buildings into healthy, high-performance learning environments that support connection to the outdoors, a strong sense of community, and a feeling of tranquility and security.

With the addition of a 45.5-kilowatt rooftop solar PV system, New Day became Oregon’s first Zero Energy-certified preschool. 

Healthy building materials were thoughtfully selected throughout, including low-VOC paints and finishes. Fixtures were scaled for children, with smaller toilets and sinks that support the school’s needs and philosophy.

In really hot weather, we were able to keep our buildings at the same ambient temperature. When other schools were closing due to smoke problems or extreme heat, we were still able to serve our community.