A 71,000-sf elementary school was recently constructed in Erie, Colo.; Red Hawk Elementary was developed as an addition to the St. Vrain Valley School District.
According to Ken Field, principal architect at RB+B Architects Inc., the design for Red Hawk Elementary School stems from the desire to create a vibrant place for kids to learn.
The approach to create this type of environment centers around a central space that is connected to all parts of the school and allows for multiple ways of interaction amongst and between students and teachers.
In an effort to achieve this design, RB+B Architects selected Nichiha USA to provide a durable yet modern, contemporary exterior finish. In addition to the modern look of the panels, the ability to have vast color options were a great concern to the architects when deciding on what product to use. Nichiha met all of their requirements.
The architects chose Nichiha’s Illumination Series panels in a marigold color finish. This product was designed with a well-developed patented clipping system; the smooth large panels made for a trouble-free, quick installation at a cost-effective price.
Challenge: To design a modern, vibrant place for kids to learn.
Solution: Nichiha’s Illumination Series panels made for a trouble-free, quick installation at a cost-effective price. Nichiha’s products are designed for long-term wear and tear, a perfect solution for a school setting.
Results: Having vast color option was important to RB+B when deciding on what product to use. Nichiha’s fiber cement panel system combined with the Nichiha's Color Xpressions System provided the architects a high-performance product that included a wide color range.
“This project continues to illustrate the changing perception within the building and architectural communities of specifying fiber cement panels for educational facilities. Nichiha’s panels are quickly becoming products of choice for similar educational developments across the country; providing a low-maintenance product that has a contemporary, welcoming appearance,” says Doug Kennard, territory manager for Nichiha. “Nichiha’s Illumination Series panels are ideal for new educational facilities like Red Hawk Elementary School. Our products are easy to install and create sustainable, sophisticated looking buildings.”
As inspiration for this space, the design team at RB+B Architects studied urban scenes during street festivals. During festivals, buildings on each side of the street frame the central space where multiple pavilions of vibrant colors and shapes are installed. The most important aspect of this scene is the movement of people. Their ability to weave in and around pavilions and buildings is a joyful part of experiencing the festival and became the central theme for the elementary design.
Architect: RB+B Architects
Location: Erie, Colorado
Project type: New construction
Product: Illumination Series panels
Project features:
- Modern, contemporary exterior finish
- Color Xpressions System
- Durability
- Quick installation
- Low-maintenance
- Sustainability
- Cost savings
“The Illumination Series panels from Nichiha were a great fit for Red Hawk Elementary for many reasons. However, the size of the panels, the ability to order them in almost any color, and the ease of installation were the deciding factors for using them,” says Jason Kersley, project architect with RB+B Architects.
The partnership created with RB+B Architects and the St. Vrain Valley School District is a great representation on Nichiha’s continued commitment to the educational design community. Nichiha is excited to be part of such a fast growing design community and is looking forward to educating other architects on the benefits and advancements of utilizing fiber cement products for upcoming developments. BD+C
Related Stories
| Dec 7, 2011
DPR Foundation awards $590,000 to youth organizations
Grants will fund programs for disadvantaged kids across six states.
| Dec 7, 2011
Autodesk agrees to acquire Horizontal Systems
Acquisition extends and accelerates cloud-based BIM solutions for collaboration, data, and lifecycle management.
| Dec 7, 2011
ICS Builders and BKSK Architects complete St. Hilda’s House in Manhattan
The facility's design highlights the inherent link between environmental consciousness and religious reverence.
| Dec 6, 2011
Construction industry leaders gather for forum on diversity
Declared a “groundbreaking” event for the industry, Gilbane’s First Annual National Partners Council Forum addressed diversity and inclusion as well as building partnerships with minority, veteran, and women-owned businesses.
| Dec 6, 2011
Mortenson Construction completes Elk Wind Project in Iowa
By the end of 2011, Mortenson will have built 17 wind projects in the state generating a total of 1894 megawatts of renewable power.
| Dec 6, 2011
?ThyssenKrupp acquires Sterling Elevators Services
The acquisition of Sterling Elevator Services Corporation is the third acquisition completed by ThyssenKrupp Elevator AG in the last three months in North America.
| Dec 6, 2011
Vivenzio named vice president of building performance practice at Thornton Tomasetti’s New York Office
Vivenzio, a licensed architect in New York and New Jersey, has more than 28 years of experience in architectural project management, construction administration, building diagnostic services and forensic investigation.
| Dec 6, 2011
New office building features largest solar panel system in New Orleans
Woodward Design+Build celebrates grand opening of new green headquarters in Central City.
| Dec 5, 2011
New York and San Francisco receive World Green Building Council's Government Leadership Awards
USGBC commends two U.S. cities for their innovation in green building leadership.
| Dec 5, 2011
Summit Design+Build begins renovation of Chicago’s Esquire Theatre
The 33,000 square foot building will undergo an extensive structural remodel and core & shell build-out changing the building’s use from a movie theater to a high-end retail center.
