Private Residence Additions, Alterations and Renovations
Client: Opelika City Board of Education
Area: 42,000 sq. ft.
Scope: Media center, 18 classrooms, six special education classrooms, art classroom, teacher work area and lounge, administration suite, kitchen, and cafetorium with stage
Design goals included achieving flexible classroom space for 450 students, adaptable for growth, in scale with the surrounding residential neighborhood, and low energy consumption on a site with embedded rock near the surface.
Results were achieved with three, similar six-classroom pods forming three wings off a glass-enclosed outdoor classroom, providing excellent visual control and an open atmosphere. Flexible classroom groups can be opened up to make one or two classroom configurations, and common areas provide for small-group instruction and other special activities. The six special education classrooms are expandable, and another classroom allows for extra student training in computers. Expansion can be made by adding similar classroom pods to each existing pod.
Economical classroom comfort was achieved with large roof overhangs that permit use of outside air in spring and late fall months. Tinted, insulated windows, earth berms against the exterior classroom walls, and the use of economizer cycles on all HVAC systems contributed to the economy. The rock embedded hill crest was used as a natural insulation berm as well.
