The 99,000-square-foot facility was designed by the Austin, Texas office of O’Connell Robertson, which also provided master planning, MEP engineering and interior design services for the project. Bartlett Cocke of Austin is the project’s construction manager-at-risk. Datum Engineers, also of Austin, is serving as the project’s structural engineer while Combs Consulting Group of San Antonio is providing data, communications and security services. Locally based Coleman & Associates will serve as the project’s landscape architect.

Upon completion, the Newton Isaac Collins Sr. Elementary School will offer an 800-student classroom capacity, with a core (cafeteria, gym and library) capacity of 1,000 students, according to a statement by O’Connell Robertson. The design will provide a flexible and adaptable 21st century learning environment, with three classroom “neighborhoods” surrounding a central library that forms the heart of the campus. These neighborhoods will be organized by grade level with classrooms located primarily along the school’s exterior walls. An assortment of common spaces will be distributed around the shared core interior space to support collaboration and project-based learning. Science areas and computer stations will be integrated into the commons spaces. Transparent building materials will allow for the learning environment to extend beyond the classroom.

Collins Sr. — a freed slave who eventually became a carpenter and landowner — was known for his many contributions to the community, including the establishment of a school for Black students. Naming the school for Collins Sr. will honor the rich history of the Collins family as well as DVISD’s mission as “a fearless education leader that binds a growing and progressive community,” according to a statement by O’Connell Robertson President Amy Jones.

“We are excited to be working with DVISD and the rest of the design and construction team to set a new standard for collaborative success on this project,” Jones added.

The post New Texas Elementary Named for Freed Slave, School Founder appeared first on School Construction News.

The 26,000-square-foot, non-profit Rise School, which provides early childhood education services to students experiencing Downs Syndrome and other conditions, features classrooms and learning spaces specifically designed to meet more specialized learning needs. The school includes eight classrooms, flexible common areas and multi-use indoor/outdoor spaces, as well as a music room, library and physical therapy gym.

The $5.6 million Rise School earned commendations for saving 38 percent more energy than the previous facility, representing an estimated 103,785-killowatt hour reduction over previous levels. The school’s irrigation system also uses reclaimed water outside, while water-efficient plumbing fixtures further contribute to water savings inside. More than 33 percent of the building materials used in the school’s construction contained recycled content, and more than half were locally sourced. Low-emitting paints, coatings, sealants and other environmentally conscious materials further contributed to creating a healthy learning space for students.

Founded in 1990, the AEGB was the nation’s first green building program. It encourages the design and construction of more sustainable homes and buildings throughout central Texas with a mission of transforming the overall building industry to embrace a more sustainable future. Developing and maintaining its own Austin-specific sustainability rating system has also given the AEGB the flexibility to carry out aggressive climate protection goals that have paved the way for both energy and building code changes that will reduce energy use, according to the organization.

O’Connell Robertson of Austin provided architecture, MEP engineering, and interior design services for the high-performance building; Burt Watts was the construction manager.

“O’Connell Robertson is committed to sustainable design practices and meeting the goals of our clients in this area,” said Amy Jones, a principal with O’Connell Robertson. “We are proud of our team, including Burt Watts, our design consultants and the Rise School leadership for the collaboration and commitment to more efficient and healthier buildings that resulted in this award.”

School officials, donors, students and community members participated in a groundbreaking ceremony in January 2014. The school was completed in August of that year.

The post Austin School Earns Green Building Award appeared first on School Construction News.