In the wake of natural disasters and school shooting incidents, education professionals across the country are looking for innovative ways to better protect children while they learn. A new building approach from Salt Lake City, Utah-based Leland A. Gray Architects is designed to contribute to that goal.
The firm is adapting the concrete thinshell structural approach for K-12 schools in Utah, according to a report by KSL.
The domed building, which the architect calls "virtually indestructible," uses an air-formed thin-shell concrete dome, along with a concrete stem wall. The system was created for assembly buildings such as schools, churches, and arenas, but some school disctricts are finding that it works well for K-12 school buildings, as well.
To build one of these structures, the roofing membrane is formed into a dome shape with a 31-ounce PVC material. A concrete ring on the stem wall is attached to an air form, and the membrane is inflated by air pressure to the size of the dome. Then, the underside of the membrane is sprayed with a urethane insulation to a depth of 3 inches over the entire surface of the membrane.
Steel reinforcing bars are then placed in an interlocking pattern across the dome's underside. Finally, according to Leland Gray's website: "The reinforcing steel is built up to 4 feet high around the base of the dome and sprayed with shot-crete. This process continues in 4-foot-wide bands from the base to the top of the dome. The concrete will be 8 to 10 inches thick at the base, tapering to 3 to 4 inches thick at the top."
Schools like this have already been built in Utah and in other places across the country, in part, because they are relatively inexpensive to build and they can save school districts money in utilities.
According to KSL, which did a story on dome schools in Locust Grove, Utah, "both the elementary and the high school in Locust Grove cost $94 a square foot to build. That's a deal, considering the price for school construction in the U.S. ranges from $150-$250 a square foot." In addition, the superintendent of the district told reporters that these buildings cut utility costs by 40%.
Read the full KSL story here.
Check out the video below to see what goes into a concrete thinshell dome, and what one looks like from the inside.
Related Stories
| Jun 11, 2012
Genivar and WSP Group join forces
Genivar concurrently announces a $225 million public bought deal of subscription receipts, a $197 million private placement of subscription receipts and new credit facilities.
| Jun 11, 2012
SimplexGrinnell highlights integrated suite of web-based technologies at NFPA Expo
eservices platform uses the power of the Internet to deliver more value to customers.
| Jun 11, 2012
Reed Construction announces new hire and promotion
Reed Construction hired Augie Insalaco as a project manager and promoted Matt Mahoney from project intern to project engineer.
| Jun 11, 2012
Hill International selected as CM for Porto Arabia Towers in Qatar
The complex is a mixed-use development featuring both residential and commercial properties.
| Jun 8, 2012
Living Building Challenge wins the 2012 Buckminster Fuller Challenge
The Living Building Challenge was chosen from a pool of 122 of entries from around the world.
| Jun 8, 2012
Nauset Construction completing sustainable dorm for Brooks School
Student input on green elements provides learning experience.
| Jun 8, 2012
Skyline Construction names Millitello president
Millitello is a 31-year veteran who has overseen the construction of campus-size projects.
| Jun 8, 2012
Thornton Tomasetti/Fore Solutions provides consulting for renovation at Tufts School of Dental Medicine
Project receives LEED Gold certification.