PK-8 school will be Denver’s first CHPS-certified building

A 13-acre site in Anthem Highlands, a new community of about 2,600 residential units in Broomfield, Colo., will be home to a new multi-level school that will be the first Denver Metro Area school certified under the Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) Verified Leader program.

The 142,800-sf Anthem PK-8 school, designed by Hord Coplan Macht, uses brick and metal panels that incorporate colors from the natural setting and design features in Anthem to reflect the mountain aesthetic of the community. Brick fins on the end of the classroom wings hold back the earth and emulate the Flatirons that can be seen from the site.

A “learning stair” will connect the cafeteria to the main level. An open library concept features an upper level for middle school students. Sustainability features include an energy-efficient mechanical system with ground source heat pumps, outdoor classrooms, and a community garden.

The school will serve 900-1,000 students. Adolfson & Peterson Construction is the project’s GC.

National nonresidential construction spending increased 0.1% in June, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data published today by the U.S. Census Bureau. Spending is up 18% over the past 12 months. On a seasonally adjusted annualized basis, nonresidential spending totaled $1.07 trillion in June.

K-12 Schools | Jul 31, 2023

Austin’s new Rosedale School serves students with special needs aged 3 to 22

In Austin, the Rosedale School has opened for students with special needs aged 3 to 22. The new facility features sensory rooms, fully accessible playgrounds and gardens, community meeting spaces, and an on-site clinic. The school serves 100 learners with special needs from across Austin Independent School District (ISD).

Market Data | Jul 24, 2023

Leading economists call for 2% increase in building construction spending in 2024

Following a 19.7% surge in spending for commercial, institutional, and industrial buildings in 2023, leading construction industry economists expect spending growth to come back to earth in 2024, according to the July 2023 AIA Consensus Construction Forecast Panel.

School Construction | Jun 29, 2023

K-12 school construction: 5 ways strong community relations can lead to success

When constructing a K-12 school, building positive relationships with the community—including students, parents, school staff and residents—is critical to the success of the project. Here are five ways Skanska puts the community first when building K-12 schools in the Pacific Northwest.

Standards | Jun 26, 2023

New Wi-Fi standard boosts indoor navigation, tracking accuracy in buildings

The recently released Wi-Fi standard, IEEE 802.11az enables more refined and accurate indoor location capabilities. As technology manufacturers incorporate the new standard in various devices, it will enable buildings, including malls, arenas, and stadiums, to provide new wayfinding and tracking features.

Engineers | Jun 14, 2023

The high cost of low maintenance

Walter P Moore’s Javier Balma, PhD, PE, SE, and Webb Wright, PE, identify the primary causes of engineering failures, define proactive versus reactive maintenance, recognize the reasons for deferred maintenance, and identify the financial and safety risks related to deferred maintenance.

Childs are playing with play clay in classroom

K-12 Schools | Jun 5, 2023

How to achieve cost-effective kindergarten classrooms

Educational architect Robin Randall shares realistic advice about the challenges of adding developmentally appropriate, play-based kindergarten classrooms while respecting budget limitations.

K-12 Schools | May 30, 2023

K-12 school sector trends for 2023

Budgeting and political pressures aside, the K-12 school building sector continues to evolve. Security remains a primary objective, as does offering students more varied career options.