Timeline

2002

Mr. John Richardson and Mr. Neil Sigmon, teachers at The Gereau Center for Applied Technology and Career Exploration (The Gereau Center), attended the Roanoke Green Living Expo and began to explore the possibilities of bringing many of the products and technologies displayed at the expo together in a residential setting. This was the beginning of the Center for Energy Efficient Design (CEED) concept. The intent was to show the value of insulation, alternative energies, and common sense design in all forms of construction.

2003

American Electric Power provided a Photovoltaic array to make the electricity that powers the aquaponics application in the greenhouse. This array was designated a "Million Solar Rooftops" member by the US Department of Energy.

2004

The Franklin County School Board gave its permission to pursue funding for the CEED. FCPS received a planning grant from the Virginia Sustainable Building Network for preliminary design work.
Through the efforts of Elaine Hawkins, John Richardson, and Neil Sigmon, FCPS was awarded a grant from the American Honda Foundation for curriculum development.

2005

Through the efforts of Virgil Goode, FCPS was awarded a grant in the amount of $250,000 for the CEED from the U.S. Department of Energy. Jim Jones at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University administered the grant for the school system.
FCPS secured a grant through the efforts of Ms. Elaine Hawkins, John Richardson, and Neil Sigmon from the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals, and Energy (VDMME) in the amount of $76,000 to add solar and wind amenities at The Gereau Center

2006

Dr. Larry Hixson, School Superintendent, named Kevin Bezy as “Project Director” of Center for Energy Efficient Design (CEED).

2007

Dr. Charles Lackey, school superintendent, prioritized CEED as a viable project and directed staff to seek additional funds to complete the building.
Through a joint effort of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and Community Design Studio, the basic plan of the CEED building was created.
Through the efforts of Virgil Goode, the U.S. Department of Energy granted an additional $196,000 as a direct appropriation for the CEED.

2008

Structures Design/Build was awarded the bid for the CEED building. Adam Cohen, a co-owner of Structures Design/Build, improved the design of the CEED and arranged for donations of labor, materials, design, and project management from many outside sources. Mr. Cohen received training in PassivHaus design in Germany for use on the CEED project.

2009

The Franklin County School Board secured permission from the Franklin County Board of Supervisors to transfer leftover Capital Project funds from the Windy Gap Elementary School Project to enable the CEED to become a reality.
Groundbreaking for the CEED.

2010

Franklin County Public Schools received the Cool Citizen Award in the Government Category from the Roanoke Valley Cool Cities Coalition All Affiliates Conference for the CEED.
Franklin County Public Schools applied for and received a grant in the amount of $169,440 from stimulus funding in order to purchase and install Photovoltaic, solar hot water, and monitoring equipment for the CEED project.
Educators began developing curriculum and lesson plans to be used by visiting students and accessed from the CEED website by students all over the world. Students have access to the data that is monitored by the building.
The CEED was dedicated on November 17, 2010.

2011

The CEED received the 2011 Innovations in Green School Design, Retrofit, and Learning Opportunities Award from the Virginia Sustainable Building Network & US Green Building Council.
Installation of 3 dual axis photovoltaic panels.
Installation of one solar concentrator photovoltaic power system.
Installation of the monitoring system.

2012

The CEED received Passive House certification from the Passive House Institute US
Adam Cohen, the design/builder of the CEED, received the Green Designer of the Year from the Virginia Sustainable Building Network & US Green Building Council.
The Gereau Center was named a Green Ribbon School by the United States Department of Education. The school was one of 78 schools to receive this national distinction in the inaugural year of the award.
The CEED received the 2012 Go Beyond Award for New Construction from the International Institute of Sustainable Laboratories and R&D Magazine.
The CEED received the 2012 Go Beyond Award for Organizational Team from the International Institute of Sustainable Laboratories and R&D Magazine.
The Gereau Center received the 2012 Virginia Naturally designation from the Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries.
The CEED received LEED Platinum Designation from the US Green Building Council.

The Gereau Center