CORVALIS, Ore.—After the Corvallis School District adopted its “Innovation Team” of educators and others to envision what the future of its schools might look like, ideas have been put into practice, perhaps most notably at Garfield Elementary School, the first of the district’s schools to experience such a renovation.

Designer DLR Group worked with general contractor Fortis Construction Inc. at Garfield, which first opened for students in 1923. The school was named in honor of President James Garfield, the 20th American president and the second to be assassinated while in office. In the 21st century the school operates as a dual-language educational institute, immersing students not only in English but also Spanish.

DLR’s job at Garfield entailed building out new classrooms and updating earlier facilities there as well.

According to the school district, renovations at Garfield included six new classrooms, two of which are devoted specifically to art and science. Music rooms and new collaborative learning areas were also part of the master plan for the school. The designers and contractor also had to envision the existing classrooms to make them amenable to modern learning necessities. Furthermore, the plumbing, electrical and mechanics all had to be upgraded, in addition to safety improvements made around the school.

The renovations allowed the school to increase its overall footprint from 46,000 to 62,000 square feet.

DLR’s team was first invited to discuss changes to the school during several meetings with the Corvallis School District. In their news release, Principal Nancy Davila-Williams said that collaboration was key to the project’s success right from the beginning.

“I appreciated looking around the table and seeing familiar faces of Garfield families and also new faces of community members and school neighbors,” she said. “The architects asked questions, and our answers were really heard. We had an opportunity to engage in conversation with each other, and we were able to listen to each other’s ideas and perspectives. The design team really did get input from all the players who would be impacted by the projects.”

Added art teacher Jerry Bryan: “Everything we talked about for the art and science classroom happened.”

In an email sent to School Construction News, DLR Group project manager Elizabeth Delorme, AIA and LEED Green Associate, said that reconfiguring Garfield’s design allowed for students to experience “a warm, welcoming, and inclusive environment.”

“The design responds to the school’s culturally diverse student population by creating a strong sense of community and fosters direct connections to nature,” she said.

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CORVALLIS, Ore.—Construction continues on the major renovation of Cheldelin Middle School project in Corvallis.

With a completion date slated for October 2021, the approximately $12 million project includes the renovation of classrooms to create a STEM lab; renovating the library/media center; renovating the cafeteria and restrooms; improving ADA accessibility; improving ADA access; replacing wooden bleachers in the gym; replacing kitchen flooring; upgrading mechanical infrastructure including electrical, heating and plumbing systems; and improving emergency lighting and seismic safety,

The project also included resurfacing the existing track, which is now completed. This involved enlarging the high jump area to accommodate two jumping areas and improving drainage around the long jump area.

The Wenaha Group is managing this project for the Corvallis School District. Gerding Builders is the construction manager/general contractor, and Field Turf USA is the track contractor. Pivot Architecture is the architect.

At present, the project is in the design and permitting stage. According to a Corvallis School District report, the district has contracted with Lancaster Logistics to provide move coordination services. This will help alleviate staff concerns about moving classrooms and to ensure a smooth transition. Given the current load of school projects, the district does not have enough staff to move and set up all of the classrooms that will be impacted.

Pivot Architecture is continuing to work with the site team on the design and construction phasing. Most recently, discussions have included the design of modifications to the existing entry to improve ADA access and provide a secure vestibule.

Pivot Architecture is also working with district staff on the final construction document details and plans on submitting it to the City for a permit in late February.

Additionally, Pivot’s team is working on the design for seismic improvements as part of the process for applying for a $2.5 million State Seismic Grant this month.

Gerding Builders has also completed a 75 percent design development cost estimate. The team is working to refine the designs to in order to complete the project within budget.

Construction is set to begin in June on the extensive renovation.

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