Bulverde Green Elementary School San Antonio, Texas Elementary School Design Concept Pfluger Associates Architects 2008 Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture
Dec 25, 2015
Bulverde Green Elementary School
San Antonio, TexasElementary School
Design ConceptPfluger Associates Architects
2008 Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture
Bulverde Green Elementary School
Sustainable MissionCommunity Environment:
North East Independent School District serves an area of San Antonio, Texas that is experiencing rapid growth. The District decided to utilize this opportunity to develop a new prototype for their Elementary Schools.
With the current trend towards “green” technologies, the District chose to participate in the United States Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program. The participation in this program represents the Districts commitment to providing safe, healthy, and energy efficient schools to the surrounding community.
Accessible CampusCommunity Environment – Continued
It was important to the district that this new prototype be user and community friendly. The facility should serve the community and be available for after hour use.
Natural stone is juxtaposed against expansive glass and colorful classroom pods. The building extends a welcoming expression to all that visit.
A separate entrance has been provided at each large programmed space, to allow the community to utilize the cafeteria, gymnasium, and media center for after-hours community events.
Sustainable Concepts Incorporated into the CurriculumLearning Environment
Upon first entering the rotunda at the school’s entrance, students experience the building as a lesson in the science of sustainability. The lesson begins at the Entry/Upper Level of the two-story Core Information Commons, where the building footprint is inlayed in the upper-level floor pattern.
In the ceiling above, the orb shaped light fixtures are metaphors for the planets. A graphic of the earth is inlayed in the lower-level floor pattern. The reflection of the light fixtures above are symbolic of a constellation on a starry night.
ENTRY/UPPER LEVEL
LOWER LEVEL
CORE COMMONS
School as Teaching Tool
THIRD GRADE:WATER EFFICIENCY
FOURTH GRADE: ENERGY AND
ATMOSPHERE
FIFTH GRADE::
INNOVATION AND DESIGN
KINDERGARTEN:
SITE SUSTAINABILITY
FIRST GRADE:
INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL
QUALITY
SECOND GRADE:
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Learning Environment - Continued
As the students progress further into the building, they continue their educational journey. Each Information Commons represents a study on the six different core concepts of the LEED for Schools program:
SITE SUSTAINABILITYINDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITYMATERIALS AND METHODSWATER EFFICIENCYENERGY AND ATMOSPHEREINNOVATION AND DESIGN
These concepts are taught in the school’s curriculum, to allow the students to learn through their physical environment.
The intricate patterns give identity to each grade level cluster while reinforcing the districts sustainable mission.
Integrated ConceptsPhysical Environment
The grade level identification extends to the exterior of the buildings. This continuation of color, materials and pattern from exterior to interior helps students, teachers and community members relate comfortably to the building.
These way finding tools are integrally designed into the building rather than achieved through signage or other applied materials.
This building experience teaches visitors about their relationship to the surrounding environment.
Sensitive DesignPhysical Environment - Continued
The schools design is centered around sustainable design principles:
Daylight Harvesting
Southern Exposure Shading
Solar Glass
Low Maintenance Building Materials
Native Plants
Light & Occupancy Sensors
Energy Modeling
Water Cooled Chillers
Indigenous Materials
Solar and Wind Analysis
High Recycled Content Aluminum Siding Undisturbed Site
High Reflective Roof & Parking Automated HVAC Sensors
School as CommunityPlanning Process:
Flat, level sites are difficult to find within North East ISD. The prototype under development must account for the fact that there is often a steep slope across the site. The design team organized the building program to allow for the natural fall of the site.
The entry level is on the “high” side of the site. A circular “rotunda” acts as an orienting device to provide a singular point of entry that can be monitored by the school’s administrative staff.
The academic areas are divided into grade-level clustered that are centered around “information commons”.
Concept ImplementationPlanning Process - Continued
The District recognized a need to improve its facility design to serve elementary school-aged students. A committee made up of all stakeholders toured numerous elementary schools across Texas. The Superintendent charged the group to seek the best practices that support elementary school curriculum to integrate into the new facility design.
Many hours of collaboration and teamwork resulted in a “PLACE” not just a “space” for these elementary school students.
Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture 2008 Project Data
Submitting Firm : Pfluger Associates ArchitectsProject Role Project ArchitectProject Contact Kent Niemann, AIATitle PartnerAddress 1917 N. New Braunfels, Suite 201City, State or Province, Country San Antonio, Texas 78208Phone (210) 227-2724
Joint Partner Firm:Project RoleProject ContactTitleAddressCity, State or Province, CountryPhone
Other Firm:Project RoleProject ContactTitleAddressCity, State or Province, CountryPhone
Construction Firm: None – Not our for bid yetProject RoleProject ContactTitleAddressCity, State or Province, CountryPhone
Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture 2008 Project Details
Project Name Bulverde Green Elementary School
City San Antonio
State Texas
District Name North East Independent School District
Supt/President Dr. Richard Middleton / Beth Plummer
Occupancy Date Fall 2010
Grades Housed Pre K – 5th
Capacity(Students) 1000 | 1200 core
Site Size (acres) 20.18 acres
Gross Area (sq. ft.) 122,600 SF
Per Occupant(pupil) 122.6
gross/net please indicate
Design and Build? NO
If yes, Total Cost:
Includes:
If no,
Site Development: $3,639,560
Building Construction: $22,349,712
Fixed Equipment: $2,010,728
Other:
Total: $28,000,000
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