Cherry Creek New Elementary School #45
Why
In response to the growing District, Cherry Creek Schools identified the need to build a new elementary school, and funding was approved in the 2020 bond. The new school will serve approximately 650 students to accommodate future growth and alleviate overcrowding at nearby elementary schools.
How
The design concept was developed in collaboration with RTA and the Design Advisory Committee (DAC). The DAC met more than 12 times and was comprised of district leadership, facilities managers, and staff.
Careful consideration was given to the position of the building within the significantly sloped site, and a daylighting analysis was conducted to optimize natural light within key educational spaces. Exterior massing will incorporate varying materials to break up the volume of the building, clearly identify entry points and public spaces, and respond to the context and HOA requirements of the neighborhood.
What
The finished facility will be a two-story L-shape building that provides several direct connections to outdoor spaces on both levels. The entire building was designed to meet high-performance standards for indoor air-quality and promote good health for students, staff, and visitors. Interior programming incorporates 21st Century learning principles that encourage innovative thinking and problem solving skills. Spaces include a maker space, Gym-a-torium with a performance stage and competitive size basketball court, indoor-outdoor dining spaces, an art room, library, and age-appropriate learning communities.
Building security meets district-wide standards and uses a layered approach that includes a secured perimeter, controlled entry vestibule, building compartmentalization, and office-direct call buttons. The building also incorporates health and wellness precautions inspired by COVID safety protocols such as wider hallways, hand-washing stations, and optimized air circulation.
Project Details
- Square Footage: 74,000 sf (est)
- Project Cost: $28.7M (est)
Design Details
- Innovative 21st Century learning spaces promoting critical thinking, curiosity / inquiry, team work, project-based learning, and real world discovery and problem solving skills
- Collaborative design process
- Dynamic break out spaces
- Outdoor learning and dining spaces
- Flexible common areas
- Extensive daylighting
- Gym-a-torium with competitive size basketball court and a moveable partition to adjoining performance stage