Bear Creek Elementary School
Why
Bear Creek Elementary school was an internally focused open classroom building with high levels of ambient noise and minimal daylighting in classroom areas. Educational support spaces were spread across the facility without clear organization or relationship to primary instructional spaces. Additionally, the building was missing a clear community-focused building entry and safe entry points for community use. Bear Creek Elementary school was an internally focused open classroom building with high levels of ambient noise and minimal daylighting in classroom areas. Educational support spaces were spread across the facility without clear organization or relationship to primary instructional spaces. Additionally, the building was missing a clear community-focused building entry and safe entry points for community use.
How
RTA facilitated a highly collaborative Design Advisory Team (DAT) that established twelve goals and visions for the project, which served as a roadmap to our final design. RTA facilitated a highly collaborative Design Advisory Team (DAT) that established twelve goals and visions for the project, which served as a roadmap to our final design.
What
The new design provides dedicated art, science, and music classrooms, centralizing these educational spaces and creating clear distinction from the primary instructional spaces. A new central spine through the building provides clear internal circulation and reduces disruptions to the open classroom environment. New additions to the building enhance daylighting and include a prominent main entry, gymnasium, library, and cafeteria. Exterior circulation patterns were introduced to reinforce the new interior circulation and tie the building to the site and surrounding views.
Project Details
- Square footage: 28,000 sf
- Project cost: $5.4M
Design Details
- Phased construction on an existing site
- Secure entry and new administration area
- Collaborative Design Advisory Team process.
- Roof and interior doors replaced
- Interior finishes updated
- Playground upgrades
- HVAC and electrical system improvements
- Kitchen upgrades
Recognition
- 2012 Merit Award, AIA Colorado South Chapter
- 2010 Summit Design Merit Award for Renovation, Council of Educational Facility Planners International