October 2, 2025 | 4pm
Part of a broader statewide sustainability goal, JCJ Architecture, Consulting Engineers Services (CES), and Steven Winter Associates (SWA) came together to bring Connecticut’s High Performance Guidelines and Zero Energy Readiness to life in this new technical high school, part of the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System (CTECS). Setting a new standard for technical schools, Bullard-Havens’ administrative areas and most of its technical shops are fossil fuel free, including; cosmetology, automotive, precision machining, carpentry, electrical, and plumbing.
The energy efficient Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing System (MEP) design encompasses LED lights, daylight controls, central Building Management System (BMS), demand control ventilation, and a geothermal heating and cooling plant.
Originally, geothermal was not in the budget but thanks to intervention at the state level, and a collaborative team with sustainability at top-of-mind, additional funding was secured to ensure a renewable heating system. Despite complications due to the complex needs of a technical school, this project doesn’t rely on fossil fuels, and is slated to receive solar panels soon.
Furthermore, the heating, cooling, and domestic water systems are Net Zero carbon emissions and do not use traditional fuel oil or natural gas. Specialty MEP systems for the shops incorporate isolated power distribution panels, an air compressor system, vehicle exhaust, welding hoods, and dust collection systems, dedicated fuel oil and propane tanks for the plumbing shop, and a geothermal well at 240 bores and 500’ deep for the Energy House (“E House”).
Dynamic collaboration between the architect, landscape architect, and civil engineer allowed the Project Design team to overcome the challenge of coordinating the bore field with property lines, wetlands, site lighting, and site utilities.
Learning Objectives:
- Implement suggestions & strategies introduced by the program presenters when constructing, building, or otherwise interacting with geothermal, especially bore fields, on a project.
- Create more sustainable building practices by incorporating opportunities & challenges of designing energy-intensive projects with a sustainable focus.
- Prepare for future projects which incorporate Connecticut’s High Performance and Zero Energy Readiness standards, using advice & insights from project architects & designers of the Bullard-Havens Technical School.
- Discuss how the collaboration between the project design team and state of Connecticut from design through construction yielded a fossil-fuel free, geothermal-powered project.
- Describe how net zero carbon emissions are being met by the heating, cooling, and domestic water systems on site.
Presenters:
Michael Bouchard, PE | Principal, Consulting Engineering Services
Mike is a Principal and Senior Mechanical Engineer at CES with experience designing systems for Net Zero and Net Zero-Ready facilities across the northeast. He played a key role in the Bullard Havens Technical High School project, helping the team achieve net zero carbon emissions through a 240-bore geothermal system — the first of its kind for a Connecticut high school.
Known for his collaborative leadership style and deep understanding of mechanical systems, Mike focuses on creating efficient, healthy, and future-ready learning spaces. His work continues to set new benchmarks for sustainable school design in the state.
Cody Pereira, PE | Team Leader, Consulting Engineering Services
Cody is a Team Leader at CES with extensive experience coordinating complex school projects. For Bullard Havens Technical High School, he guided cross-trade collaboration and design oversight to support the project’s notable sustainability goals.
Known for his ability to adapt quickly and communicate clearly, Cody ensures that technical solutions are practical, efficient, and buildable. His perspective as a volunteer firefighter brings an added layer of insight to safety and functionality in school design.
Brian Stone, AIA, LEED AP BD+C | Senior Project Architect, JCJ Architecture
Brian is a Senior Associate and Senior Project Architect at JCJ Architecture specializing in sustainable school design. For the Bullard-Havens Technical High School, he led the development of documentation and spearheaded the interdisciplinary coordination and design team construction phase services that enabled the successful implementation of design and the project’s sustainability strategies.
Known for his extensive knowledge of building materials and meticulous attention to detail, Brian collaboratively leads efforts to integrate architecture, systems and assemblies in ways that deliver functionality and performance. Drawing on experience from across a variety of project typologies, he brings a keen understanding of all facets of design and construction to each project.