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 21, 2012
ABI gains for fourth straight month
Positive business conditions for all building sectors.
| Dec 17, 2012
CSM Group names recipient of the CSM Architect Fellowship Grant
With the money from the grant, Harlow has chosen to use it entirely for the Chapter of American Institute of Architecture Student’s Freedom by Design Program at Andrews University.
| Dec 9, 2012
AIA: Laboratory design, building for breakthrough science
To earn 1.0 AIA/CES learning units, study the article carefully and take the exam.
| Dec 9, 2012
The owner’s perspective: high-rise buildings
Douglas Durst on the practicalities of development: “You must think about a building from the inside out.”
| Dec 9, 2012
Greenzone pop quiz
Greenbuild attendees share their thoughts with BD+C on the SAGE modular classroom.
| Dec 9, 2012
Modular classroom building makes the grade
SAGE modular classroom opens eyes, minds at Greenbuild 2012.
| Dec 9, 2012
14 great solutions
Welcome to the third installment of Building Design+Construction’s “Great Solutions,” highlighting 14 innovative technologies and products that you can put to work in your next project.
| Dec 9, 2012
AEC professionals cautiously optimistic about commercial construction in ’13
Most economists say the U.S. is slowly emerging from the Great Recession, a view that was confirmed to some extent by an exclusive survey of 498 BD+C subscribers whose views we sought on the commercial construction industry’s outlook on business prospects for 2013.