The Classroom Is Going Digital!

This info-graphic illustrates how technology is changing education. As technology changes in the classroom it is clear that the use of text books is on the decline. We are seeing the rise of tablets in all levels of education with many of our current clients and this has changed how we design or redesign the classroom to meet the needs of the new digital student. 

Joplin Elementary Students Help with the Design of their New School.

 Since the tornado that struck Joplin on May 22, 2011, Sapp Design Associates Architects has been working closely with the Joplin School District on projects like the 65-day rebuild of the Franklin Technology Center and now the design of the new Irving Elementary School. For months we have been working with teachers, parents and administrators to formulate a sound plan for the new school.

 Tuesday 1/31/2012, was a very exciting day for the design team because we got the opportunity to work with a very enthusiast group of Joplin Elementary School Students on what they thought their new school should look like. Through a series of slide shows, word games and one-on-one interaction, the team was able gain information that will truly affect how this elementary school is designed. The input we received was anything but elementary - no pun intended. The feedback from the students was truly useful information with comments such as "we like windows but not the glare on the smart boards" and "I like big open spaces." Overwhelmingly, the one design element they all agreed on was COLOR and MORE COLOR!!! Now, our task is to interpret the student's concerns and ideas into a design that will be a school for the 21st Century.

WWW.SDAARCHITECTS.COM

LEED Gold Certified!

The AECI project was able to achieve LEED Gold. This is one the first office buildings of this scale to achieve LEED gold in this area. The following are the sustainable items that were part of the building’s design.

One of the most significant decisions made during the design of the new AECI building was the decision to design an HVAC system that utilizes geothermal energy from the ground. For this project, it is projected that operations of the building could achieve as much as 42% cost savings over a typical non geo-thermal forced air system.

• Since a considerable amount of the energy consumed within a building is contributed to the lighting of the building, high efficient light fixtures were specified. Lighting controls and occupancy sensors will turn lights on and off as needed. Appliances were also specified with the ENERGY STAR label.

• Cool roofing material was also specified to avoid the “heat up” of the building and eliminate the need to upsize and run the cooling equipment longer.

• The building envelope was designed for a R-37 for the walls and a R-26 for the roof.

• 95% of trash that was generated during construction away from the local landfills to alternative locations where segregated materials such as cardboard, wood, plastic, and glass could be recycled into other useful products for consumers

• 20% of all materials was procured regionally or within 500 miles.

• Special care was taken to ensure that the Indoor Air Quality was maintained during construction, this was done by ensuring that the ductwork was not contaminated during construction and that all materials had Low VOC’s.

• The project achieved a 26% in water use reduction through the use of low flow toilets, low flow shower heads and infrared sensors on the faucets.

• Site water usage was kept at a minimum by using native plants that do not require a large amount of water.

Sapp Design Associates Architects, 3750 S. Fremont, Springfield Missouri 

Going Green Projects (Click Here)

Clever Performing Arts Center Ribbon Cutting

The Clever R-V School District celebrated the opening of their new Performing Arts Center with messages from local representatives, music performances, and theater presentations.  The new Performing Arts Center is an addition to the existing high school, which was constructed in 2008.  The Performing Arts Center was part of the long range master plan for the site, and accommodations were made for the Center in the original design of the high school.  The new Performing Arts Center seats up to 551 patrons, and includes 510 fixed seats, with space for (2) additional rows of movable seating.  Also included in the addition was a new lobby area, ticket booth, and drama classroom. Currently, Clever’s band and vocal music departments share a single teaching space in the existing high school facility.  However, construction is ongoing for a new band room on the southeast side of the Performing Arts Center.  The band room addition will double as a FEMA 361 Tornado Safe Room, and will provide a safe and secure location for the high school students, faculty and staff, as well as the surrounding community, during high wind storms.

Sapp Design Associates Architects, 3750 S. Fremont, Springfield Missouri 

For more information on Clever High Schools (Click Here)

Opening Monett Elementary

This campus, first constructed in the 1960's, was comprised of nine separate buildings, creating significant challenges in circulation, security, and school administration.  The new design incorporates almost 63,000 s.f. of additions, including a Commons Area, Administration Suite, and three Classroom Wings, as well as over 28,000 s.f. of major renovations, to combine four of the existing buildings into one unified school building.  The former Gymnasium has been renovated into a new Library.  A new FEMA 361 Safe Room is  in process through the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.  This space functions as the new multi-purpose Gymnasium and will safeguard students, staff, and the surrounding residential community in the event of high-wind storms.

The new plan addresses improved energy efficiency, security, circulation and accessibility.   Redesign of the campus site circulation creates a new Main Entrance and separates bus traffic from parent drop-off and  service traffic, creating safer, more efficient site circulation.

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