Rotondo Weirich Archives - School Construction News https://schoolconstructionnews.com Design - Construction - Operations Mon, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.7.11 VLK Celebrates Opening of Pope Elementary https://schoolconstructionnews.com/2013/10/30/vlk-celebrates-opening-pope-elementary/ HOUSTON — The new Sue Gratehouse Pope Elementary School recently opened to students of Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District.

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]]> HOUSTON — The new Sue Gratehouse Pope Elementary School recently opened to students of Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District. The district partnered with Houston-based VLK Architects, a firm specializing in the design of educational facilities, to create this first school for the Bridgeland community.
The school’s innovative design was developed under the Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) guidelines, a “leading national movement to improve student performance, and the entire educational experience, by building the best possible schools.” VLK Architects’ design also mirrored Cypress-Fairbanks’ desire to offer an open concept plan incorporating a student-centric learning environment, an area in which VLK has extensive experience.
Pope Elementary is now a model of 21st century education, where students and teachers can enjoy flexible learning environments. The school helps decrease the barrier between indoor and outdoor learning spaces via movable, glass walls and multi-functional classrooms. These areas are conducive to all types of learning, from working within the confines of a wet lab to reading with a small group of students.
VLK oriented the building for lakeside views, and opened the school’s interior with enhanced glass and natural daylight. Additional features supporting both a collaborative and sustainable environment include a building monitoring system, teaching students about exterior/interior conditions and electricity output, as well as an on-site cistern, which collects rainwater for the community garden. A two-story library forms the heart of the school. Its design provides reading lofts for students inside the facility, and takes the collaborative space outside by offering views of the surrounding natural environment.
Cypress-Fairbanks ISD Superintendent Dr. Mark Henry places great value in the structure’s barrier-reducing design. “In addition to its inviting appeal, the state-of-the-art design of Pope Elementary School accommodates the modern learning environment that Cypress-Fairbanks ISD offers. The school’s classrooms, library, reading nooks, multipurpose observation deck and many flexible learning spaces were all designed with an intentional focus on hands-on education that will allow our 21st century learners to thrive,” said Henry.
The community of Bridgland’s contributions to the project also enhanced the sense of both unity and support at the new school. “The neighborhood’s commitment to providing…the sidewalks, shrubbery and trees, as well as taking care of the irrigation needed, showcases its ties to the campus. This is truly a community school,” said VLK Principal and Designer Kenneth Hutchens.
VLK’s Principal-in-Charge of the project, Steve Aloway, appreciated the opportunity to once again partner with the district for this project. “Cypress-Fairbanks ISD has been instrumental in incorporating the idea of collaboration into learning systems. Their vision allowed us to provide them a dynamic school that will provide both students and staff excitement for years to come.”
In October, more than 100 people attended the official dedication of Pope Elementary, including the school’s namesake, Sue Gratehouse Pope. A video tribute highlighting Pope’s life, career in education and contributions to the district was also shown. Pope spoke proudly about her years of service and commented on the beauty of the facility. To conclude the dedication, VLK Architects proudly presented her with a framed photograph of the building that bears her name.

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]]> VLK Sets the Standard in Bridgeland https://schoolconstructionnews.com/2012/06/01/vlk-sets-the-standard-in-bridgeland/ CYPRESS, Texas — VLK Architects beat out three competitors to design a new, $14.4 million elementary school at Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District in Cypress, Texas.

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]]> CYPRESS, Texas — VLK Architects beat out three competitors to design a new, $14.4 million elementary school at Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District in Cypress, Texas.
The Bridgeland Elementary School will be a prototype school for the district. Designed to meet the requirements of the Collaborative for High Performance Schools, the two-story school will house 1,120 students.

“VLK is excited to have been awarded this very significant project,” said Steve Aloway, principal of VLK Architects, which has worked with the district since 2006. “We are extremely pleased to continue our relationship with Cy-Fair ISD and help the district in meeting its growth needs in this prominent development within the district.”

The project will feature several green building features, including local and regional materials; a solar array; energy-efficient mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems; recycled products; and recycled waste from the construction site.

Students will also be able to witness the effects of the energy-efficient design. Mechanical and medium-density fibreboard rooms will have windows that allow students to see the systems at work. There will also be an interactive energy dashboard in the lobby and mechanical rooms that will display climate conditions and energy usage in the building.

Just like the interior of the building, the exterior will be focused on energy-efficiency and student learning. A rainwater harvesting system from the roof will help educate students about irrigation and water sources. The school will also have a balcony overlooking a lake where students can learn about the ecosystem.

“This project, when completed, will be exceptional as it ties the district’s educational curriculum into the building shell, which is designed to be a cohesive fit into the Bridgeland community,” Aloway said. “This is the first Cy-Fair ISD school located in Bridgeland, so it will set the standard for future schools within the development.”

The school will undergo more than a year of design and construction before its scheduled opening in fall 2013.
Challenges in the beginning phases of the design have included designing the new prototype school on an established prototype schedule and budget, while incorporating TxCHPS and instructional components into the design of the facility, according to Aloway.

“We have had various site issues to work through with the developer of Bridgeland, where the school is located, who is benefiting the project by bringing various site amenities to the project, including neighborhood sidewalks, landscaping and reforestation of some site areas,” Aloway said.

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