As the construction of Proctor Academy’s new $8M Health and Well-Being Center nears completion, Proctor, Lavallee Brensigner, and HP Cummings Construction are thrilled to report that after whole-building testing, air tightness performance far surpasses US Passive House and high-performance building standards.
Testing by third-party CX Associates confirmed this remarkable milestone as the whole-building blower door test, executed on July 9, 2026, in accordance with ASTM E1827 standards, measured an air leakage rate of just 0.04 CFM75/SF across the building’s enclosure. This performance drastically exceeds the project’s strict baseline target of 0.15 CFM75/SF. Furthermore, the result places the facility ahead of standard US Passive House (PHIUS+) prescriptive requirements (0.08 CFM75/SF) and significantly below standard commercial energy codes (0.40 CFM75/SF).
A high-performance air barrier is essential for minimizing energy loss, optimizing indoor climate control, preventing moisture degradation, and reducing operational carbon emissions. By achieving an exceptionally tight building envelope, Proctor ensures long-term operational cost savings, superior indoor air quality, and enhanced thermal comfort for students and faculty utilizing the new Health and Well-Being Center.
Chief Financial and Operating Officer Kurt Croft notes, "This most recent achievement reflects Proctor’s campus-wide dedication to embedding sustainability into every aspect of our physical infrastructure. By prioritizing sustainability in projects like the Health and Well-Being Center, we create healthier indoor environments while reducing our ecological footprint for generations to come."
The commitment to sustainability in the construction of the Health and Well-Being Center mirrors that in the Brown Dining Commons (2016) and the Woodlands Building (2022). The Brown Dining Commons was constructed as a net-zero-ready facility and utilizes geothermal heat pumps to heat and cool the building, while the Woodlands Building not only is constructed to the same standards as the Health and Well-Being Center, but incorporated all locally harvested wood for its post-and-beam construction.
As Proctor continues to renovate and construct new facilities, it will continue to be guided by its Environmental Mission Statement, written by students and adopted by the Board of Trustees in 2008, and its goal to be carbon neutral by 2038 as its guiding principles. Proctor is proud to have partnered with Lavallee Brensinger Architects and HP Cummings Construction on achieving this milestone in the design and construction of the Health and Well-Being Center.
About Proctor Academy:
Proctor Academy is an independent coeducational boarding and day school in Andover, New Hampshire. Committed to experiential learning, environmental stewardship, and community well-being, Proctor integrates sustainability into both its academic curriculum and campus infrastructure.
About Lavallee Brensinger Architects:
Lavallee Brensinger Architects is an architecture, planning, and interior design firm with offices across New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Maine. Dedicated to creating high-performance, occupant-centric spaces, Lavallee Brensinger specializes in educational, healthcare, civic, and corporate projects that prioritize environmental sustainability, climate resilience, and design excellence.
About HP Cummings Construction Company:
Founded in 1879, HP Cummings Construction Company is one of Northern New England’s oldest and most respected general contractors and construction managers. Specializing in educational, healthcare, and civic facilities, HP Cummings delivers high-quality craftsmanship with a steadfast emphasis on sustainable construction practices and energy-efficient building standards.
Read more about Proctor's Commitment to Environmental Stewardship
- Environmental Stewardship
- Giving