Created stunning views of the oval courtyard, with its rain garden for nature exploration and backdrop as an alternative classroom, through a three-story curtain wall system.
More than just a view portal, this energy-efficient and cost-effective system draws daylight deep into the Learning Commons. Transparency is key to flexible, interactive learning experiences for all, from connection between science, art, CTE and general classrooms to the library and informal break-out areas.
Accommodated a difficult slope with significant grading work. Multiple elevations created an opportunity for three-story classroom wings as well as a second-story auxiliary gym.
Designed an extensive rain garden system that actively demonstrates stormwater control, providing additional educational opportunities for students.
Specified a stormwater vault with a 2-million-gallon capacity to treat and control runoff. Special attention to the stormwater system design, as well as our strong relationship and coordination with city officials, successfully mitigated impacts to the nearby Phantom Lake ecosystem, which is environmentally sensitive and a highly visible community amenity.
The team provided cost-effective solutions to the school district and maintained good relationships with the community through constant communication.
Nimbly responded to quickly changing requirements for utility placement throughout design phases, working closely with city officials to prevent delays.
Created detailed sequencing plans to connect rerouted utilities with existing services, such as the critical city water main that supplies two adjacent neighborhoods.
Isolated the unique brick veneer cladding system from the main building superstructure, coordinating closely with the architect and contractor to create a high-performance exterior assembly with limited thermal bridging. The hyper-insulated blue steel siding provides superior protection and contributes to the school’s sustainability goals. This building will be ranked in the top 1 percent of energy-efficient schools in the US.
Together our civil and structural teams collaborated on the installation of two 10-foot retaining walls, one exterior and one interior, between the classrooms and gymnasiums. The retaining walls effectively mitigated up to 15 feet of difference in the site’s slope and were a critical element of the grading plan.
Because these retaining walls were permanently incorporated into the structural system and didn’t require shoring, they also gave the contractor a larger work area.
Photography © Benjamin Benschneider All Rights Reserved
