2009 CEFPI Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture

Mountain Green Elementary School

Mountain Green, UtahProject of DistinctionElementary SchoolVCBO Architecture

Main EntryCommunity Environment: Visitors to the school are greeted by the media center and administrative offices which bracket the prominent front entry. These spaces feature large expanses of glass that takes advantage of the stunning view to the valley below the school.

Multi-purpose RoomCommunity Environment Continued: The daylit multi-purpose room is sized to accommodate a full basketball court for after-school community use. It also serves as a dining room supported by a full service kitchen. Plus, this portion of the school can easily be securely and physically sectioned off for after school activities.

Image title

Collaboration Area Learning Environment:

The school organizes Kindergarten through fifth-grade classrooms into intimate small learning communities (SLCs). Easily supervised, pleasantly daylit collaboration centers located at the heart each of these Learning Communities support project-based curriculum by accommodating multiple, flexible group activities. This key design element lets teachers take lessons outside the boundaries of the classroom and incorporate shared activities that involving multiple groups, promoting collaborative learning and guiding students in integrating knowledge on a variety of levels.

Outdoor Classroom Learning Environment Continued:

The Winter and Spring wings bracket an outdoor classroom that is divided into four Learning zones: Listen—where students can utilize a stepped seating area for presentations; Act—an area with raised planters, which allows students to study the life cycle of their own plantings; Experiment—a circular paved area with a vertical pole which allows a place for science projects like rocket launches and sundials; and Think—a quiet grove with trees, paths and benches, where students can take time out to day dream.

Mountain ArchitecturePhysical Environment: Located in the scenic Wasatch Range area of Utah, Mountain Green Elementary School reflects the grandeur of its surroundings through the use of trestle-wood beams and a rugged exterior.

Three Learning Academies Physical Environment Continued:

Mountain Green’s three SLCs and Media Center are color coded and named for the four seasons, enhancing way-finding within the facility, and creating an identity for the students within each individual area. Each classroom door has an icon etched on the glass for further student differentiation–for example, icons in the “Spring” community are represented by different flowers. Also located within each community are transparent teacher workrooms, that allow faculty to prepare without leaving the vicinity.

Flexible Classroom Planning Process:

The planning process included a series of charrettes and workshops with administrators, teachers, students, parents, maintenance staff, and other community members. Several key design features became apparent through the process of gathering information and input from these stakeholders – Safety, Sustainability, Durability, Small Learning Communities, and Flexibility.

Commons Planning Process Continued:

Sustainable design features of the school include proper solar orientation for the classrooms, (with shading devices on the south facing rooms), multi-level lighting and motion detectors within the classrooms, reclaimed trestle wood, locally-produced concrete block building materials, and high performance glazing. Plus, the facility utilizes a sustainable ground-source mechanical system.

Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture

 2008 Project DataSubmitting Firm : VCBO ArchitectureProject Role Architect of RecordProject Contact Jeanne Jackson, AIA, LEED®APTitle PrincipalAddress 524 South 600 EastCity, State or Province, Country Salt Lake City, UtahPhone 801-575-8800

Joint Partner Firm:Project RoleProject ContactTitleAddressCity, State or Province, CountryPhone

Other Firm:Project RoleProject ContactTitleAddressCity, State or Province, CountryPhone

Construction Firm: Hogan AssociatesProject Role General ContractorProject Contact Mike HoganTitle PresidentAddress 940 North 1250 WestCity, State or Province, Country Centerville, UtahPhone 801-951-7000

Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture

 2008 Project DetailsProject Name  Mountain Green Elementary School

City Mountain Green

State Utah 

District Name  Morgan County School District

Supt/President  Ron Wolff

Occupancy Date  August 15, 2008

Grades Housed  K-5

 

Capacity(Students)  600

Site Size (acres)  9.3 Acres

Gross Area (sq. ft.)  73,000 SF

Per Occupant(pupil)  122 SF

gross/net please indicate  

 

Design and Build?  No

If yes, Total Cost:  

Includes:  

 

If no,  

Site Development:  $275,000

Building Construction:  $12,435,000

Fixed Equipment:  $440,000

Other:  $750,000

 

Total:  $13,900,000

Outdoor Classroom

Media Center

Main Entry

Exterior Detail

High-Altitude Landscaping