Dr. Don R. Roberts Elementary School

Little Rock, ArkansasNew Construction

Project of DistinctionWittenberg, Delony & Davidson Architects

2011 Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture

Dr. Don R. Roberts Elementary School

Dr. Don R. Roberts Elementary School

Main Student Entry

Roberts Elementary School is located

on a busy intersection of a State

Highway, adjacent to local residential

and commercial streets. To blend with

the residential environment, the

exterior façade is appropriately scaled

for community and alludes to internal

academic neighborhoods

Zoned PlaygroundsCommunity Environment:An existing tree grove is a focal point for the age appropriate zoned playgrounds.

Dedicated parking and entry features provided for Pre-K, parent drop-off, bus rides and service vehicles to provide unique identities, increase efficiency & reduce impact of traffic on the neighborhood. To accommodate the restrictive 20-acre site, the architects implemented a two-story design solution.

To enhance the relationship with the surrounding community, areas of the school are designed to be sealed off for after-school use and community activities.

Media CenterLearning Environment:Serving 895 students from Pre-K to fifth grade; Roberts Elementary is designed into learning neighborhoods; creating smaller “collaborative communities " for students with varied learning settings for individual, team, small, medium & large group.

These communities are divided by grade level and arranged to be easily accessible to the media center which is considered the "center of learning."

This learning arrangement furthers the Little Rock School District's initiative to create intimate learning opportunities for all students amidst its large student population.

Collaborative Learning AreasLearning Environment: Learning neighborhoods follow team teaching model with a variety of learning settings for diverse sized group learning. The classroom clusters and flexible team learning areas with the integration of technology provides space outside classrooms for project based learning under supervision of the teacher and larger group discussion programs. Collaboration between grade levels is achieved by adjacency of flexible team learning area to the main gallery. Integration of special education spaces in the neighborhoods encourages student diversity while allowing those with special needs to be incorporated into the complete education process.

Cross-Section/Day Light Strategy

Physical Environment Large windows, rooftop monitors and interior glazing provide natural daylight into interior spaces reinforcing connection to the natural world. North natural light infiltrates the learning neighborhoodsClassroom heat gain is mitigated by solar orientation, translucent canopies, and sun shades.

The facility is oriented so majority of classrooms receive shaded south light and mountain views through curtain wall to the north. The building entries face the neighborhood to instill community connection and away from the highway for safe access and reduce impact of traffic on neighborhood. Expansive views to the exterior also enhances the students natural curiosity to the natural environment.

Pre-K Reading Nook; WayfindingPhysical EnvironmentContinuous insulation, reflective roofs, and sunscreens provide summer passive building cooling, and southern facing glazing with properly located shading promotes solar heat gain during the winter. Exterior cladding is regional brick, aluminum curtain wall and metal panels of recycled steel. Insulated glazing, clerestory windows, and rooftop monitors, with photometric and occupancy sensors create a day lighting strategy that reduces overall energy consumption. Individual classroom HVAC units, coupled with heat recover units, occupancy sensors and individualized controls maximum individual comfort and energy efficiency. Regionally milled wood paneling, rubber tile floors and low VOC scuff-resistant paint reinforce a warm, home like atmosphere.

South Elevation DetailPlanning Process:During site selection process, community meetings were held in adjacent attendance zones for parent and local leader input on location, programmatic and academic issues. Work sessions with district staff and school board assured physical spaces created were based upon educational priorities, curriculum trends, functional patterns and the integration of technology into learning environments. This dialogue of community and parent forums, along with student input continued during conceptual design and through the construction process to assure broad participation and open communication.

As room mockups were completed during construction, building and virtual tours were given to verify planning process.

Overall aerial view;North & West façadesPlanning Process:The site is located adjacent to a highway and residential neighborhood. The “L” shaped building shelters playgrounds and adjacent neighborhood from vehicular and service areas and a protected grove of trees preserve the wooded character of the site. Mandated storm detention was designed to reinterpret a pond once on the site.

The facility is oriented so majority of classrooms receive shaded south light and mountain views through curtain wall to the north. The building entries face the neighborhood to instill community connection and away from the highway for safe access and reduce impact of traffic on neighborhood.

Floor plan

LEVEL 1

Educational spaces

Gymnasium

Cafeteria/Support Spaces

Art/Music

Administration

Special Needs/Counseling

Media Center/Support Spaces

Corridors/Support Spaces

Floor plan

LEVEL 2

Education Spaces

Computer Labs

Corridors/Support Spaces

Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture 2010 Project Data

Submitting Firm : WITTENBERG, DELONY & DAVIDSON, INCProject Role Architect of RecordProject Contact Jack F. See, FAIATitle Principal-in-ChargeAddress 400 W. Capitol, Ste. 1800City, State or Province, Country Little Rock, ARPhone 501-376-6681

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

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

Construction Firm: NABHOLZProject Role ContractorProject Contact Mike ArmstrongTitle SuperintendentAddress 1500 AldersgateCity, State or Province, Country Little Rock, ARPhone 501-217-5500

Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture 2011 Project Details

Project Name  DON R. ROBERTS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

City LITTLE ROCK

State ARKANSAS

District Name LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT 

Supt/President DR. MORRIS HOLMES /SUPT

Occupancy Date AUGUST 2010 

Grades Housed PRE K - 5 

 

Capacity(Students) 865 

Site Size (acres) 20 ACRES 

Gross Area (sq. ft.) 158,380 

Per Occupant(pupil) 183 

gross/net please indicate  

 

Design and Build?

If yes, Total Cost: $26,700,000

Includes: construction

 

If no,  

Site Development:  n/a

Building Construction:  n/a

Fixed Equipment:  n/a

Other:  

 

Total:   $26,700,000

Student Bus Entry Detail

Circulation, Daylighting