West Jefferson Elementary School

Type: Education
Phase: Completed
Date: 2000
Size: 47,700 sf

This project began with a facility analysis of the existing school to determine whether to expand and renovate that building or build a new school.  It was determined a new facility would be the most cost-effective alternative.  A subsequent site analysis evaluated three options: relocating to a new site; building the new school on the existing athletic field; or locating it on top of the hill on the existing site. The Design Advisory Group and the community were in favor of placing the school at the existing site and locating it on top of the hill. The new school was constructed while the existing school was in session, and was completed in time for the 2000 school year. The old school building was then abated and demolished, and new playgrounds and athletic fields were developed.

Classrooms are organized in “pod” configurations easily providing for future expansion. The overall composition of the building is divided into smaller parts resulting in a “village” that is more childlike in scale.

Sustainable design features include energy conscious daylighting in classrooms and the use of recyclable building materials.