High performance does not necessarily mean high-tech, a point illustrated by the $7-million, 42,000-sq-ft Newport Coast Elementary School, which opened in March 2001.

Overlooking Newport Harbor, the school uses daylighting and natural ventilation strategies to take advantage of the Southern California climate. "There is nothing outrageous [about this project]. It is just sensible design," says Kerry Parker, senior associate at mechanical engineer TMAD Inc., Ontario, Calif.